Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 23

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
USS BALBOA—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth



24

Starfleet Command;
Security Compound- Siberia Russia;

In the deep regions of the former Soviet Union nation state was one of Starfleet Command’s security compounds. The camp was built in the cold tundra of the famed region of Earth. The bitter cold of the outside environment made escape, of ordinary criminals, impossible.

Surrounded by high powered force fields, the compound was where most high priority security concerns were kept until their threat had been eliminated. At this time, there we no other occupants than the rogue Founder, who was captured in Geneva Switzerland two days earlier.

The rogue Founder found itself inside of an escape proof cell. Unable to change its shape due to energized inhibitors that were concentrated on the cell, the Founder was confined to its bland male human shape.

On the other side of the prison cell’s force field reinforced, impenetrable transparent neutronium observation windows were Captain Riker, Admiral Janeway and the compound’s commander, General K’tor; on loan from the Klingon Empire.

The Founder stood in the center of his cell and stared out at its captors.

“Your President will still die,” The Founder said. “There are those on this world, your own kind in fact, that will see to his death.”

K’tor shook his head, and replied with a loud laugh, “Foolish Founder,” K’tor said, “Starfleet Intelligence infiltrated Fullertion’s movement months ago. Now that they have tied you to him, and the cowards that followed him, they will also be in custody.”

“The only question I have,” Janeway said to the Founder, “is why? Why try to kill a man, President Spock, who was of no threat to your kind. He wasn’t even the President when the war was over.”

The Founder eyed Riker, but replied to Janeway. “Your Federation is a threat. If by killing your President caused confusion, then it was a tact that had to be tried.”

“And now, due to your stupidity,” K’tor said to the Founder, “you will spend the rest of your life in prison. If I had my way, you would be deported to the penal colony on Rura Penthe.”

With nothing else to say, Janeway, Riker and K’tor left the observation platform. After a quick turbo-ride they entered K’tor’s office. There were several observation monitors, showing various angles of the Founder as he stood in the cell.

“You were pretty quiet in there, Will,” Janeway said to Riker.

Riker shook his head. “There’s something wrong, Admiral” Riker said to Janeway and K’tor. “I remember a conversation I had with Master Chief Obrien, a year or two after the Dominion War. He told me that Odo had the ability of sensing holographic energy patterns. Apparently he, and Jadzia Dax, had encountered a man who had constructed an entire village with holograms. After being tricked that first time, Odo had adapted his ability to sense such deception. The holodeck emitters we used at the President’s residence in Geneva were pretty basic.”

Janeway thought for a moment. “Well, perhaps this one didn’t have that ability to detect holographic energy patterns.”

“Admiral, General K’tor, if this rogue Founder has been apart of the Great Link since Odo went back,” Riker said, “then they would all have knowledge of the ability.”

K’tor harrumphed. “And yet, with all due respect Captain Riker, you have still apprehended an alien operative sent to kill the President of the Federation. That act alone is worthy of many Klingon songs.”

K’tor and Janeway began to talk about the administrative aspects concerning the Founder. Riker entered the Turbolift.

“Where are you going?” Janeway asked.

“I just want to ask our guest a question or two.” Riker replied.

“Very well,” K’tor said to Riker, “we’ll keep an eye on you from here.” The Klingon said, motioning to the right of monitors.

Moments later, Riker entered the observation platform. The Found had not moved an inch in the intervening minutes since they had left him.

“The quiet captor,” The Founder said.

“Do you know Odo?” Riker asked.

“All Founders know of Odo. He is apart of us, as we are him now. That is an aspect of the Great Link you will never understand, or experience.”

--

In K’tor’s office, Janeway was listening to K’tor, but she also listened to the audio inside of the observation platform. She had just heard the Founder’s response. She looked to K’tor.

“Riker was right,” Janeway said to K’tor, “Sound the alert!”

“Why?” General K’tor asked. “There is no way that Founder can escape.

Janeway’s expression became one of worry, “If you don’t sound that alert, I will!”

--
Riker listened as the alert klaxons sounded.

“Do you have another question? The Founder asked.

“Yes,” Riker replied, “I do." Riker said. He had always prided his ability to see through a poker face. It was time to see through the Founder's poker face. " Who are the Essians?”

The Founder smiled. “I was waiting for you to ask that question, Q. I am the Essians.”

“Q?” Riker asked, surprised being referred to as Q.

Suddenly the Founder morphed into a bright ball of blinding energy. Strings of energy spiraled out from the being.

“What the hell?” Riker said in shock.

Suddenly, one of the strings penetrated the observation window, smashing through the neutronium lining, striking Riker.

Instantly the bright ball of energy that had been the Founder, expanded, and with incredible speed, it lifted off, smashing through the ceiling, also made of neutronium. With no effort, it was also able to pass through the eight force fields that surrounded the outside of the compound. As Janeway and K’tor ran into the smashed observation platform, they both looked up in time to see the ball of light streak off into space at an incredible speed. Janeway searched the room; Riker was gone.

--continued
Star Trek
USS BALBOA

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 23

Whoa...did Riker just get Q powers back again? Or in this entity's eyes, is he permanently Q because of the short time he spent as one?

And I love seeing Sisko the Prophet hasn't lost his sense of humor--and backtalked Q that way!

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 25

Star Trek;
USS BALBOA—Deep Space Nine—Federation Earth






25

Commander Bynak, aboard the Balboa, was down in the main brig. On direct orders from Captain Michelle Duell, before she had beamed down to Septos-14, he had transferred the command of the Balboa down to the main brig. From the main observation area he could keep tabs on the ship, and the landing party, and more importantly, a watchful eye on the Romulans that were being kept in the holding area.

Suddenly a signal came from the Bridge. Ensign Gortha, a Tellerite male, manned the main communications post in Thron’s absence. “Bridge to Commander Bynak,” Gortha’s voice could be heard saying from the ships communications system.

“Bynak here,” Bynak replied after tapping the com badge on his chest.

“The captain wishes to speak to you, transferring her signal now.” Gortha said.

Bynak continued, “Bynak here, Captain,” Bynak said.

“You are still on the ship, right Commander Bynak?” Captain Duell’s voice asked.

The Cardassian first officer shook his head, “Yes Captain, I am on the ship, in the main brig, just as you ordered.”

“And, just to satisfy my curious nature,” Capt Duell added, “you are an only child.”

“My family were all killed during the Jem’Hadar bombardment of Cardassia Prime in the closing days of the Dominion War,” Bynak told her, “this was all part of my service record.” Bynak thought for a moment. “Why do you ask?”

There was silence, then Capt Duell replied; “Never mind,” she said to him, “Captain Duell out.”

Bynak looked up at the monitors that displayed different views of the Romulan prisoners. “Humans,” he said dismissively as he continued his duties.

--
Septos-14;

Captain Duell, inside the darkened sleeping area with in the main barracks on Septos-14, looked down at the Bynak before her, who was very weak, and had the look of death about him.

“Who are you?” Capt Duell asked.

The Cardassian struggled to concentrate. It was clear to Capt Duell that this Bynak was in great internal pain. She also noticed what appeared to be a slight glow of blue energy coming from his eyes. She tried again.

“Are you Commander Bynak?” Capt Duell asked.

The Cardassian nodded his head slowly, the effort obviously causing him pain. Then he began to move his lips. She leaned in closer to hear his frail voice.

He struggled with all of his might, and was able to muster enough strength to say the final five words of his life. “Go….or….Sheppard… will… fail.”

The Cardassian closed his eyes, and died. Suddenly there was a burst of blue energy patterns. Capt Duell stood back, startled, and in an instant, Bynak’s body was gone.

“What was that?” Ensign Rose asked from where she stood, which was further back in the barracks.

Capt Duell walked over to the young mother. “What else did he say? What happened here?”

Ensign Marcy Rose told Capt Duell what she knew. “He did abduct Elaine,” Ensign Rose said, “but he didn’t get far. His labored breathing, and his weakened state, made it easy for the five on watch to find him.”

“What happened then?” Capt Duell pressed.

“They brought him in here, gave me Elaine, and then put him on the bed. By that time he was having awful spasms. Through his spasms of pain he claimed he had come here to take Elaine to another plane of,” Rose held her hand to her mouth in fright, “existence.”

The door opened at the other end of the barracks and Lt. Commander West and Dr. Kip’fk entered. They walked over to the Captain and Ensign Rose. They had heard the same story outside from Ensign Davies.

“Where is he?” West asked. “Where is this other Bynak?”

“Gone,” Capt Duell said. “He died, right in front of me. But before he died, I saw a strange blue energy pattern covering his eyes. Then, after he was dead, his body burst into the blue energy, and vanished.”

West took out a tricorder and began to scan the area where Bynak had died. He studied the readings.

“I’m no science officer,” West said, “but I am picking up very faint cosmic-string energy patterns.” Then he raised his hands in defeat. “They’re gone now, but they were there for a moment.”

Kip’fk looked to Captain Duell. “What did he say?” the Benzite doctor asked.

“All he said was,” she thought for a moment, “he said something like the Sheppard will fail.” Duell looked back to Ensign Rose. “Did he say anything else before we got here?”

Ensign Rose shook her head. “No, he didn’t.” Rose replied. “He lapsed in and out the rest of the time he was here.”

Captain Duell shook her head in defeat. “I have no idea what has just happened here,” she said to West and Kip’fk. “But I have a strange feeling it has something to do with the Wave.”

“What now?” Kip’fk asked.

“Now,” Capt Duell said with a smile, “we go on and turn the page. We will start by building a jail for our Romulan prisoners. Mr. West? that will be your next project. And lets just be clear; I don’t want the holiday Inn, if you know what I mean.”

Lt. West smiled, “Yes Captain, I do.”

Soon the large search party waiting outside became a large construction team. To save energy, and supplies of the ship, the jail for the Romulans, just as the living barracks, were built out of resources obtained from the near by forest; just not with as much attention to comfort.

On the other side of the valley from where the Balboa camp was, and atop one of the distant mountains, curious watchful eyes monitored the busy Federation builders. The observers, two Romulans, one female, the other female, knew a jail compound when they saw one. Perhaps they were only simple farmers these days, but they knew who the jail was no doubt being built for; captured Romulans in space.

Unknown to the two Romulans, and atop another mountain, they too were being secretly monitored. The set of eyes gazing at the Romulans, through a long-range viewing device, belonged to a Klingon.

Continued..
Star Trek
Deep Space Nine

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 25

Uh-oh, there ARE two Bynaks! I sure hope we didn't just see the fate of the Bynak currently in "protective custody" aboard the Balboa...

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 26

Star trek; Shuffle the Deck
USS BALBOA—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth




26


The conference room on DS9 had become Admiral Picard’s working office. With his recent arrival, it was high time for a strategy meeting with the principle officers and crew of DS9, the Titan, and the Defiant.

Admiral Picard sat at the head of the table. It had been decided, demanded by Kira really, considering he was the legend that he was, that Picard would sit atop the chain of command in the Bajoran sector. She sat to Picard’s right. Next to Kira was her first officer, Nog. Sitting next to Nog was Captain Tom Paris, of the USS Defiant. Captain Christine Vale, recently promoted after Riker’s untimely departure, sat at the opposite end of Picard. Next to her was her new first officer, Commander Tuvok. On the left side of the conference table was a tactical display of the Bajoran sector; and the immediate other side of the wormhole. Picard spoke.

“As you are all aware,” Picard said to them, “the Dominion forces on the other side of the wormhole are formidable. However, with the efforts of Master Chief Obrien, and Commander Nog here, a new minefield has been established. Add to this the presence of the Titan and the Defiant, and I am quite confident we have a formidable force of our own.”

Capt Paris spoke next. “Admiral Picard, are we even thinking about going through the wormhole? If we are, the Defiant volunteers to take point.”

Captain Christine spoke in response of Paris, “With all due respect to Captain Paris, Admiral, I believe the superior vessel should take point and that would have to be the USS Titan.”

Picard liked the fact that there was friendly competition between the two ships. It kept both crews sharp. “As of now,” Picard told both Starship Captains, “there are no plans of sending a fleet through the wormhole.”

“Besides,” Colonel Kira added, “the Dominion Fleet on the other side would pick you off one at a time. The last probe we sent counted nearly twenty five Jem’Hadar warships. We just don’t have the numbers to even consider going into the Gamma-Quadrant.”

“Not yet, that is.” Picard quickly added. “The Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Star Empire, both dispatched fleets to DS9 as well, to help counter any Dominion threat. Unfortunately neither fleet arrived before the affects of the Wave. So, depending on how far out they were from the Bajoran sector those two fleets were, we might suddenly find ourselves in a more strengthened position should these fleets ever arrive.”

“Admiral,” Tuvok said, “that would suggest that at some point you may consider sending a fleet through.”

Picard nodded. “Yes, Commander Tuvok, it may come to that. I am not sure where the Emissary, Captain Sisko, was sending Mr. Cooper. But I had the distinct impression from him that upon Mr. Cooper’s return, we would be going somewhere.”

Kira looked to Picard, “What about Odo’s warning? Maybe we should think twice about going into the Gamma-Quadrant at all.”

Picard thought for a moment. “The very fact Mr. Odo had to use subterfuge means he must be aware that we now know that all is not as it seems in the Gamma-Quadrant. But your concern is mine as well, Colonel Kira. And in addition, it must be pointed out, with Captain Riker in possession of the information Odo relayed to us, I am hopeful that the threat to President Spock has been eliminated. Thanks in no small part to Mr. Odo’s efforts.”

The meeting continued. Many other issues were discussed.
--

The Dabo wheel in Quarks was spinning, and customers were cheering. Quark had negotiated a credit system with the Federation/Bajoran officials. He would recognize all financial demands put on his establishment, with a promise from Bajor, and the Federation, to fund the future compensation once the galactic banking system was reestablished after the affects of the wave had passed. Bajor, in the mean time, would back up the tabs as well.

Quark was polishing a row of glasses as Constable Jarav walked into the bar, carrying a brief case of some kind, and came over to where Quark was. Quark saw the constable and shook his head in disbelief. The night before Quark had been cleaned out during a game of Tongo.

Quark aimed his words at Jarav. “I haven’t seen anyone go on a string of luck like that in a game of Tongo since Jadzia Dax did, years ago.”

Lt. Commander Ezri Dax, who was playing darts with Dr. Bashir, overheard Quark’s remark to Jarav.

“Wait a minute,” Ezri said to Quark, “I remember that too. But what about the streak I went on a few months back?” Ezri said with an annoyed smile.

Quark shook his head, “You’re good Ezri,” Quark said, “but not that good.” Quark said as he pointed to Jarav.

Bashir looked to Jarav. “Are you sure you don’t want to learn how to play darts?”

Jarav noticed the dartboard on the far wall, and then shook his head. “I would, however,” Jarav said, “I’m here on official business.”

Suddenly Master Chief Obrien entered Quarks, and came over to where Bashir and Ezri were.

“Doesn’t this seem like old times, Miles?” Bashir asked Obrien, who sat down in a seat at the bar. “It’s almost as if we went back into time and are reliving the good old days.”

Obrien nodded his head. “It does. The only difference is that Keiko and the kids are nearly two days away from us on Bajor, rather than just a few hours. Oh well,” Obrien said as he sipped on the drink that Quark had set in its usual spot, “they’ll be here in a week or so.” He looked to the dartboard, “Sorry Julian, but don’t have time for a game. Captain Paris wants me to take a look at the Defiant’s impulse drive. I’ll take a rain check.”

Bashir smiled, “Damn, I so wanted a free drink tonight.”

Obrien smiled, “Not tonight,” he replied with a chuckle.

“What’s the official business?” Quark asked Jarav. “Somehow I have to think it has something to do with me.”

Jarav nodded. “Well, after Admiral Picard brought the Tormenta back from the wormhole, my men and I searched it from head to toe, like I said we would. And when we did, we found this brief case.” Jarav placed the brief case on the bar.

“What’s inside of it?” Quark asked.

Jarav shook his head and said. “We don’t know, yet.” Then he flipped the case around and pointed at a piece of paper attached to the brief case that had the words ‘Quark knows the combination’ on it.

“Wow,” Quark said, “imagine that.”

Jarav smiled at Quark, “Thankfully, I won’t have to use my imagination,” Jarav said, “since you know the combination; now open it.”

Quark could see that not only was Jarav looking at him, but so were Obrien, Bashir and Ezri Dax.

“I’d rather open it in private,” Quark finally came back with.

“Either you open it here,” Jarav said to Quark, “or in my office. You’re choice.”

Quark pondered the choice. “If you don’t mind Constable, I’ll open it in your office.” Quark decided.

A resounding “Booooooo” came from Obrien, Bashir and Ezri Dax.

Quark looked to the three, “Oh shut up.” Quark said as he and Jarav headed to the Constable’s office.

“I wonder what’s inside of it?” Ezri asked as she watched Julian, who stood back further from the dartboard than she did, line up a shot.

Obrien chuckled, “If I know Quark, its trouble.”

--continued
Star Trek
Federation; Earth

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 27

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
USS BALBOA—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth





27



The Kosinski Astrophysics Lab in the Silicone Valley;

Admiral Janeway walked beside Dr. Janice Kosinski. Janeway had replaced Picard as President Spock’s senior liaison between Starfleet and civilian operations such as the well respected Konsiski labs. Just ahead of them walked Commander Reginald Barclay. Barclay turned to face the two women.

“I am amazed at some of the work you are doing here, Dr. Kosinski,” Barclay said, with his hands clasped together, “I had no idea your father was so adept in so many theoretical areas.”

“I am too,” Dr. Kosinski added with a smile.

Barclay was immediately embarrassed of the omission of her name. “Oh, um, I am so sorry,” Barclay insisted, “yes, yes, of course you should be proud of the work going on here as well.”

“No offense taken,” Kosinski replied.

“So what do you have to show us?” Janeway asked the brilliant scientist. “Trust me,” Janeway added, “anything would help.”

The three of them walked further into the lab. As they did, they passed by an experimental pro-type ship that was contained in a large shielded area. Several workers could be seen doing various types of works on the inside and outside of the small vessel. It was roughly the size of a Federation runabout.

“What ship is that?” Reginald Barclay asked with obvious approval of the very sleek looking vessel.

Kosinski smiled, “One of my father’s last ideas. We call it the NK-352. But, when it is done, we will call her the Sheppard.”

“Interesting name,” Janeway said as she looked at the vessel. “What can it do?”

“Well,” Kosinski replied, “if we are to use dimensional jumping in the future, then this ship, and other ships like her, will theoretically be able to handle the stress.”

“I want to be on the Sheppard when she makes her first jump,” Barclay stated. “To be part of that mission would the chance of a lifetime.”

“I’m curious,” Janeway asked, “why the name Sheppard?”

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Kosinski said to Janeway, “but my father loved to read the Bible. He didn’t believe in God that much, but he liked the story of The Sheppard; the one who watches over the flock, most appealed to him.”

Janeway pondered that thought, “Fascinating.”

Kosinski continued, “Anyway,” she showed the two Starfleet officers into a smaller lab area. “We are convinced we may be able to place an inter-dimensional communications relay system into a working mode with in a few weeks or so.”

Barclay thought for a moment, and then, “We have been working on such an idea as well.” Barclay said. “We haven’t been able to find a stable matrix for the tunneling required.”

“We think we have.” Kosinski said to Barclay.

Barclay was obviously impressed. “That is,” he searched his mind for the best response, “that is so very incredible.”

“I share in Mr. Barclay’s excitement,” Janeway added, “well done.”

Kosinski continued the tour for Admiral Janeway and Commander Barclay.

--

President Spock was back in his offices in the city of Paris. There signal to the entrance of his office signaled. He was currently out of his chair, which was parked in the corner of the office, doing administrative work.

“Please enter,” Spock said.

The door opened, and walking into the room was one of Spock’s oldest friends alive.

“It is good to see you, President Spock,” Scotty said with a wide smile.

“I do wish you would not call me that, Mister Scott,” Spock said, as he had said to Scott several times in the past, “it is not aesthetically pleasing coming from those I have known for so long.”

“Now, you know our deal,” Scotty said, “I’ll stop calling you President Spock if you would finally start calling me Scotty.”

Spock thought for a moment, “Mr. Scott, I will consider it. I trust you have brought what I have been so patiently waiting for.”

Scotty nodded his head. “Aye, sir,” Scotty said with a smile, “Captain Leforge and I have indeed burnt up a lot of midnight oil at his place working on your idea. Oh, and Mr. President, if you're even wondering; it just might work after all.”

The former chief engineer of the USS ENTERPRISE handed the Vulcan a data chip. Spock arched an eyebrow, to the amusement of Scotty.

Continued
Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
USS BALBOA

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 28

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
USS BALBOA—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth




writers begging time..
If you are talented at creating CGI art...and would like your work to be part of a fan fic story? You can help. If you have been reading the story, then you know I am bringing in a civilian built ship called SHEPPARD. I visualize some sleak, and small cool looking 'dimensional jumping ship' (size of Runabout)..if you can, can you create something like this? I will give you FULL CREDIT if you do....thats all I have to exchange...send me a PM If you are interesting...Robert Scorpio


28


“Holy shit,” a male voice screamed with joy, “this is a hoot!!!” It was the voice of Everett West.

Three horses rode hard through the valley. With a rim of trees surrounding them miles in any direction, and a herd of cattle miles to the rear, the valley was pretty much clear in this part which allowed for men, and women, of all species, to enjoy a ride.

Lt. Commander Everett West, clad in a pair of blue-jeans and a red and white plaid shirt, was closely followed by the young Bajoran ensign, named Elame, who was wearing Bajoran civilian garb. Off to the side of Elame was Cardassian First officer Bynak, and to the rear, riding a massive Cha’q, the Klingon version of horse and much bigger, was the Gorn communications officer; Thron.

The chased after a herd of Gazelle, obviously brought to this world from Earth some time back. Though, in actuality, the herd came from Earth, via Project Naissance. Project Naissance was the Federation’s attempt to keep near instinct animals, from all corners of the galaxy, alive by breeding them inside a massive Dysonsphere near the Federation/Romulan neutral zone.

“Those animals,” Bynak yelled to West, “are incredible. Unfortunately due to our shortsightedness many such animals on Cardassia no longer exist.”

“How ironic,” Elame, who had heard Bynak, replied, “your people had that same affect on Bajor’s wildlife as well.”

Bynak nodded, “And for that I am sorry,” the Cardassian admitted.

“On Gorn,” Thron yelled; his voice cutting through the wind that swept past them all, “we ate the creatures like this into extinction.”

West laughed at the thought, “Who would’ve known?”

Up ahead they saw three Klingons, each sitting atop their own Cha’q. The four Starfleet shipmates slowed their gallops down, and came up to the Klingons. One of them Everett had already met; Ka’fla. It was Ka'fla who had sold them several dozen horses, and the lone Cha'q that Thron rode.

“It is good to see you,” West said to Ka’fla.

Ka’fla motioned to his fellow Klingons. “My family,” Ka’fla said, “you like Cha’q?”
Ka’fla said to Thron.

The Gorn nodded his head slowly, “Very impressive beast.” Thron replied.

Ka’fla looked back to West. “You will have Romulan prisoners in your compound?”

Lt. Commander West nodded his head. “Yes and soon.” West admitted, “Their ship was damaged in a fire fight with a Klingon warship. It was a misunderstanding. But since their being here is against treaty stipulation, they are in our custody until we can send them home.”

One of the other Klingons spoke in an indignant way. “You should kill the Romulans now while you have the chance. By bringing them here you will endanger us all.”

“My brother speaks the truth,” Ka’fla said. “Romulans can not be trusted.”

Bynak, the Cardassian first officer, spoke up, “Unfortunately Federation law prevents us from just killing them.” Bynak told the Klingons. “Or believe me; they would have been dead already.”

Ka’fla did not look at Bynak, obviously offended by the Cardassian’s presence. Ka’fla directed his words at West. “There are Romulans on this world. They are just farmers, of course, but they are Romulans. We saw them monitoring your compound. As much as we can, we will also monitor your compound should they attack.” Ka’fla tossed West a Klingon communicator. “Alert us if you must.”

And with that, Ka’fla and his men, turned, and rode off in the opposite direction.

“They don’t like you,” Thron said to Bynak with a slight tone of humor in his deep voice.”

“And they were scared to death of you; I could see it in their eyes.” Elame said to Thron.

“What about the Romulans they warned us of? Bynak asked West, ignoring Thron’s taunt.

West watched as the Klingons rode off in the distance. “We better make sure the prison compound is well made before we transfer them down; or things will get ugly.

--continued
Star Trek
Deep Space Nine

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 29

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Balboa—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth





29



The Promenade on DS9 was usually a place of comfort for those who called the space station home, or who were just visiting on their way to some destination, somewhere else. With Warp Speed gone, it had become isolated, but it still had visitors, mainly just Bajorans now. The promenade was still the lifeblood of the merchants who made a living selling their goods, food items, or other services of value, on the Promenade.

Quark was not happy that everything had come to a stop on the Promenade. Most of his customers were now standing outside his bar, and were entranced with the event happening down the thoroughfare; a hostage situation!

He looked back at the bar, and at his lone customer.

“Morn, bless you,” Quark said to the very talkative customer, “Some crazy human Starfleet man grabs a Bajoran baby and threaten to kills it, and what happens? Everyone has to go and watch this fool and whether or not the baby can be saved.” Quark picked up a glass and started to polish it, “amazing. Obrien couldn’t have picked a better time to do Transporter maintenance work!” Quark said sarcastically.

--
Burton Ingles had seen his entire life turned upside down. He had served aboard the USS TITAN for nearly three months in the ship’s galley. He was a husband, and father of three, and suddenly found himself cut off from his family, who were all living back on Earth. Ingles was actually set to transfer to Earth the week after the Wave had passed through. And now, now it would possibly be eight years until he saw them again.

His children were of young ages. And now, if things went as predicted, they’d be teenagers before he saw them again. His wife would have to struggle on her own to raise them.

“It isn’t right!!! I miss my wife! I miss my children!!! If I can't hold my child, why should someone else get to hold their's!!!!” He yelled down to the crowd that had gathered in the lower area of the Promenade. He could see the Bajoran security team approaching the far stairway that led to the level he was on. “You take one step on those stairs,” he held the knife closer to the baby’s neck, “and I will kill this child!!”

A Bajoran woman, mother of the baby, could be heard crying somewhere below. She was comforted by Ezri Dax, who held the lady close.

“You’re baby will be fine,” Ezri told the lady. “Just try not to cry. Your baby will hear you and be upset, and that might startle this man.” Ezri pleaded. She then looked up, across the crowd, and up at the man who was holding the baby hostage. If only it could end peacefully, Ezri thought. But somehow, inside, she knew it wouldn’t.

--

Constable Javar stood in his office with Commander Tuvok and Colonel Kira.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Commander Tuvok?” Kira asked.

Tuvok nodded, “He is part of the Titan crew, Colonel. He works in the officer’s mess, and I believe I have come to know him.”

“Let my men take him out,” Javar said to Kira. “I have two snipers making their way through the air ducts. Give me two minutes.”

Kira looked to Javar, “We may not have two minutes.” Kira said to Javar.

“Sometimes,” Tuvok also said to Javar, “it isn’t necessary to use violence to prevent violence.”

“I hope you’re right, Commander,” Javar said.

Tuvok exited the Security office and made his way down the walkway, and then, into the crowd that had gathered, and were staring up at Burton Ingles, who was still holding the knife to the baby’s neck. The crowd parted for Tuvok as he made his way closer to where Ingles stood above them.

Javar, who was in constant contact with his men, listened in his ear piece as they told him their status. Javar spoke to both of them, “Very good, hold your positions. Do not fire with out my orders. Set your weapons to kill; even stunned, this man might stab the child, or drop him over the side; so stay sharp.”

Colonel Kira overheard Javar’s orders to his men. She had nothing to add; he was doing exactly what she would have done had she been in his position. The life of the child’s was more important than the man’s.

The gathered crowd looked to Tuvok. Could this Vulcan, a man from a race that suppressed their emotions, ‘get’ into the heart and mind of an ordinary human?

“You know me,” Tuvok said as he looked up to Burton on the second level, “I believe it would not be mistaken to say that we are friends, Petty Officer Ingles.”

Burton Ingles nodded his head, “Yes sir,” Ingles said, “I would call you a friend.” Ingles’ voice quivered with fear and depression.

Tuvok put his foot on the first step of the circular stairway that led to the second level. “You and I have shared several conversations about being posted far from our loved ones.” Tuvok said to Ingles. Tuvok took another step up the stairway, keeping his eyes locked with the unstable man’s eyes.

“How can I go on with out them?” Ingles pleaded with Tuvok. Ingles began to cry. “I won’t be able to hold my daughter, or help guide my sons into the careers they wish to have.”

“I know how you,” Tuvok paused, “feel. When I was lost in the Delta-Quadrant for all those years, I too was separated from my wife and child. But at least I knew they were there, and they were alive and well.”

Ingles began to sob, his hand shaking as he held on to the knife that was on the baby’s neck. Tuvok took a few more steps up the stairway.

“Stop, please!” Ingles warned Tuvok, “don’t come any closer.” Ingles ran his shirt across his face, wiping his tears. Tuvok took a few more steps.

“Listen to me.” Tuvok said to the man, “I knew my family was safe, just as you know your family will be safe on Earth until you can be with them. But there is a woman on this station, right here, right now, who believes her child may die at any second; you’re holding that child right now, Mr. Ingles.” Tuvok said as he finally was on the second level. “Do not take that child’s life,” Tuvok said flatly, “let us help you.”

Suddenly Ingles screamed. In one motion he turned to face Tuvok, and then dropped the baby. Ingles lurched the knife high in the air, and was in the motion to throw it at Tuvok, when from out of nowhere, the tight beam of a phaser struck Ingles. He dropped to the ground, inches from the baby he had dropped, and then Ingles died. Tuvok rushed over and grabbed the baby off the floor. Tuvok held the baby close, not wanting the baby to look into the face of death, and then Tuvok looked down into the dead eyes of Burton Ingles. Some of the excited crowd rushed up the stairway to assist Tuvok.

--
One half hour later, Quark’s was opened. Little by little customers were returning, and were ordering lots of drinks and food, and betting heavily at the Dabo table. Quark walked over to Morn.

“Do you have any violent urges?” Quark asked Morn. “If you do, I think I know a way we could both turn a good profit.”

At that moment a Dabo player broke out in a cheer.

--
Tuvok was back in Javar’s office. Javar sat behind his desk, Tuvok was still standing, with Colonel Kira at his side.

“You did not need to kill him,” Tuvok said to Javar. “He would not have thrown that knife.”

“You don’t know that,” Javar said, “You see, Commander, sometimes violence is needed to prevent violence. If it were just your life up there? Yeah, I may have told my men not to fire. But once he pulled the baby back from over the ledge, and when you made Ingles look at you, it gave my man the perfect shot and I told him to take it.”

“Well,” Kira said, trying to defuse the situation. “There isn’t anything else to be done here. I’m sure we all have duties to perform.”

Tuvok turned to leave, but then looked back to Javar. “I find your actions in this matter to have been inappropriate, Constable. The taking of life should not be so caviler.”

Javar thought back to that night, the night he had killed a baby to save the lives of others. “I will try to remember that, Commander.”

Tuvok exited the office, leaving Kira and Javar alone.

“Don’t worry, Constable,” Kira said to Javar, “I would have handled it the exact same way. And I will reflect that in my report on this matter.”

Kira exited the Security Office, and headed for Ops.

In his solitude, Javar thought back on the event that had just happened. Could he have found a more peaceful way to handle Ingles? Did it have to come down to death? Was Javar’s main purpose in this universe to use death in order to save life?

--continued
Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Federation; Earth

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 29

Hm...I have a hard time seeing the motivation for him to endanger someone else's child, even if he WAS nuts. Simply throwing himself off the second level of the Promenade probably would've made more sense.

(I do admit, though--I love Quark's line to Morn: "Do you have any violent urges?")

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 29

Hm...I have a hard time seeing the motivation for him to endanger someone else's child, even if he WAS nuts. Simply throwing himself off the second level of the Promenade probably would've made more sense.

(I do admit, though--I love Quark's line to Morn: "Do you have any violent urges?")

I based this scene on actually something I witnessed years ago while in the navy. It happened at a food court in a Mississippi mall near where I was stationed. This Marine was going to deploy over seas, and would not be able to take his wife and daughter..and he would have to be there for four years...

He ended up grabbing another persons kid and pretty much threatened to kill the kid as well..his motivaton? He went nuts. In his reality he saw his family being kept from him and he wanted to spread that feeling to others..

Luckily, he lived...he ended up being talked out of it by his friends who were there..but to see it happen? made an impression on me I will never forget...

Rob

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 29

I see...that makes better sense now that you explain your backstory.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 30

Star Trek: Shuffle the Deck
Balboa—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth




30




Starfleet Science Labs; England

Commander Barclay was befuddled. He scratched his head with his left hand for a brief second, staring at the computer panel with a look of disbelief. He and his engineering team went over the data that the computer was giving them and none of it made any sense. On top of it all, the theory was based on formulas going back as far as two hundred years.

Barclay turned to face the legendary trio of President Spock, Captain Montgomery Scott; retired, and Captain Geordi Leforge.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t understand,” Barclay said to Spock, “well frankly, none of us understand how your equations can possibly work on a quantum level Mr. President? I mean, with all due respect, these theories,” Barclay said as he pointed at the computer panel, “are, ummm, well, so…”

Scotty shook his head and chuckled, “Do ya’ mean to say they’re too old?”

Barclay smiled, “No sir, I would never go so far as to say…”

Leforge cut Barclay off, “Calm down, Reg.” Leforge said. “I felt the same way you do now a couple nights ago when Mr. Scott brought them to me. But if you take a closer look, adjust for galactic drift, and I am sure it will make more sense to you.”

Barclay shook his head, “Well, if you say so Geordi.”

President Spock, who had observed the conversation, spoke. “Commander Barclay,” Spock said, “I have been studying these equations for seventy Earth years in my so called, spare time. I had Mr. Scott go over them recently. The first of these folded space theorems comes from even longer ago; notes I found in a long lost file in the personal log of Commander Charles Tucker, and he lived over 200 years ago.”

Barclay shook his head, “How a man from the 22nd century could be working with equations like these, is beyond me?”

“But he did,” Scotty replied to Barclay. “Sometimes, lad, instead’a thinking like a scientist, with all do respect Mr. Spock, we must learn to think like a gritty engineer.”

“But, I do.” Barclay protested.

Geordi smiled, “Oh come on Reg,” the former Enterprise engineer said, “you were more likely to debate Wes about one of his cocky ideas than figure out a simple diagnostic.”

Barclay was about to protest again, but gave up when he realized Geordi was right.

Janice Kosinski, who had also come to the Starfleet Science lab in Liverpool England, stood up from the chair she had been sitting in. She had listened to Spock, Scotty and Leforge’s theory, and she had also plugged it into the computer as well. She walked over to Spock.

“Mr. President,” she said to Spock, “my father wasn’t liked by many in Starfleet. In fact, some of his peers thought he was a nut. However, I believe your numbers do prove we can use super-string particles to power the Sheppard’s drive. Not because of you, or some man who lived 200 years ago, but because my father believed it possible before his death just a decade ago.”

“Your father,” Spock said to her, “was a genius, Dr. Kosinski. I have read most of his work recently, and I believe he was definitely with out any peers at his level.”

Kosinski smiled. “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Barclay spoke. “We should be able to have a working model in a month or so,” Barclay said to them all, “if all goes well.”

“Mr. Barclay,” Spock said, “what about the ability to transmit a message using this technology? What are your best estimates as to when that can be done?”

Barclay thought for a moment. “Again, if the numbers hold out and the tunnel doesn’t collapse, then maybe with-in a week or two I can rig up some kind of transmitter.”

“I will stay and help him,” Leforge added.

“Then,” Spock said, “I will leave this endeavor in your most capable hands, Mr. Leforge.” Spock said, “And now,” Spock paused, “Scotty, would you be so kind as to return with me back to my office in Paris. I am quite confident Admiral Janeway will be none to pleased that I left with out signing out. I would like you there so as to shift some of the blame away from myself, on to you.”

Scotty smiled, “Aye, I’ll take the bullet this time. She can be a sour-puss, that one. Any word yet as to what happened to Captain Riker?”

Spock shook his head, "No, not at of yet. For now, and I agree with her, Admiral Janeway has suggested we keep the apparrent fate of Mr. Riker on a need to know basis."

And with that, Spock and Scotty headed out of the lab, leaving Leforge to lead the effort on this end.



--
Continued
Star Trek
USS BALBOA

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 31

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Balboa—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth




31

The Klingon scout ship limped through space. There were four passengers aboard it, three Klingon males and a Romulan female. Each had small injuries in some degree, but not in a major way.

Three weeks earlier it had been in a race with a Romulan scout vessel across the neutral zone. When the wave hit, that Romulan scout ship, the R’vor, and the Klingon ship, Tarq’vo, were thrown into sublight speeds in different directions.

Unfortunately for the R’vor, it came out of warp in sensor range of a local Klingon patrol, consisting of one Bird of Prey. The Tarq’vo slipped away, unable to assist the R’vor. But as the Bird of Prey prepared to destroy the R’vor, the Klingon owner of the scout class vessel Tarq’vo was able to send a decoy message that lured the Bird of Prey away from the Romulan vessel. But before the Romulans could be assisted, a Federation vessel came upon the scene. The crew of the Romulan ship was beamed over to the Federation vessel, and the R’vor exploded.

K’amort, who sat in the command chair of the tiny cockpit, looked to the two Klingons who served beneath him; K’talpa and T’var.

“Any sign of that Bird of Prey or the Federation starship?” K’amort snorted in a forceful tone.

“No,” navigator, K’talpa replied. “It’s been three weeks since we last detected either of them with the sensors.”

K’amort smiled. “Perhaps the Federation commander ordered the execution of S’ovak and his crew.”

“No,” the female Romulan, Rehyes’valah, said while she studied a small hand held device, “My husband still lives. And as long as he is alive, then the race is still on.” She thought for a moment, “My husband, S’ovak, and his men have been captured by the Federation. No doubt there is some sort of penal colony on Septos-14.”

K’talpa looked to K’amort. “The Federation Starship will consider us allies,” K’talpa said, “I say we pose as Klingon military and find S’ovak before he tells them why we’re all here.”

“My husband is not stupid; he won’t tell them anything.” Rehyes’valah said. “And he knows he cant find the treasure with out us since I have,” she held the small hand held device, “the other half of the map. If he wants to split the treasure he will have to wait for us to join him on Septos-14.”

“You have a strange marriage.” K’amort concluded with a slight chuckle. “He should have killed you years ago.”

Rehyes looked to K’amort. “My husband thinks he can have mistresses in every system. That is fine with me, as long as he shares his fortune with me. And years ago, while surveying this world Septos-14, he claims to have found a long lost treasure. So, we plan to split it, and go our own ways. Our union will end when that moment comes.”

“Which is what brought you to me,” K’amort said. “We will help you find that treasure, and take our cut from your cut.”

“Then what do we do? I want my quarter of the treasure now!” T’var asserted with excitement.

K’amort thought for a moment, and then he came to a decision. “S’ovak will not reveal the fact that he has come to Septos-14 to find a hidden treasure. His men are expecting a cut as well,” K’amort said. “We will indeed go to Septos-14, and the three of us will pose as Klingon military. She will be pose as prisoner. Once we can get S’ovak alone, we will see how he wants to get out of this situation.”

“We should just kill him at that point!” T’var

“Fool,” Rehyes said, “he has the other half of the map. And, he is still my mate and I will not kill him like that.”

“Very well,” K’amort said to her. “We will do this your way.” He also thought in someways, as strange as it seemed, Romulans and Klingons were more a like that one might think.

K’amort was unaware of the glance between K’talpa and T’var. They obviously had another plan for the treasure.

--continued
Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Deep Space Nine

 

[RevdKathy]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 31

Robert, do you own the domain on which that image is hosted? Because it doesn't look like it. Please do not display inline images unless you own the space where they are hosted. It's a big no-no in the rules. Do you own that space?

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 31

Robert, do you own the domain on which that image is hosted? Because it doesn't look like it. Please do not display inline images unless you own the space where they are hosted. It's a big no-no in the rules. Do you own that space?

No I dont..I have been able to delete the latest one but the others I cant get into to delete. I thought public domain shots were okay. My bad. When you mean own do you mean like what I see when people use photobucket or something like that?

Rob

 

[RevdKathy]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 31

You must either own the space or use an image hosting site that allows linking, such as photobucket.

I know it's a pain to save an image and then repost it to photobucket, but otherwise you are, in effect, 'stealing bandwith' from the host. We had an announcement up for a month this autumn saying that in future hotlinking would incur warnings.

I will delet the ones here, and consider yourself on notice I don't believe in warning without warning, as it were.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 31

You must either own the space or use an image hosting site that allows linking, such as photobucket.

I know it's a pain to save an image and then repost it to photobucket, but otherwise you are, in effect, 'stealing bandwith' from the host. We had an announcement up for a month this autumn saying that in future hotlinking would incur warnings.

I will delet the ones here, and consider yourself on notice I don't believe in warning without warning, as it were.

Thanks..mr Geymor has explained to me what that is. I get it now..thanks for the warning..wont happen again..

Rob

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 32

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Balboa—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth
#32

Colonel Kira walked towards Admiral Picard’s office at a brisk pace. She was flanked to her right by Captain Tom Paris.

Paris, who held a cup of coffee in his right hand, spoke to Kira. “I hear you and Tuvok have been giving each other the cold shoulder ever since that incident on the Promenade last week.”

Kira smiled, “Is that what you Starfleet types call it? I call it total disrespect of the Chain of Command.”

Paris smiled, “You wouldn’t think Vulcans would even carry something like that a week or so after it happened, but Tuvok is,” Paris paused, “Tuvok. So, I wonder why the Admiral has summoned us all to his office,” Paris asked.

Kira shook her head, “I have no idea. But if I know the Admiral; it’s something important.”

They both entered the Admiral’s office. Master Chief Obrien and Commander Nog, Kira’s first officer, were already there, as were Commander Tuvok and Captain Christine Vale of the Titan. Kira was about to have a work with Tuvok when the Admiral entered. They all took their usual seats at the conference table.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Picard told them all. “At 0430 I received a private communiqué from Starfleet Command on Earth.”

“How is that possible?” Captain Vale asked. “I thought subspace communications were out.”

Picard nodded. “And they still are, Captain Vale. What I received was a message transmitted by Starfleet Command, via an inter-dimensional relay that exists in a Kosinski-Tunnel.”

Nog spoke for them all when he said, “Sir, what exactly is a Kosinski-Tunnel?”

“A Kosinski-Tunnel,” Picard replied to Nog, “uses galactic-shift harmonics, coupled with inter-dimensional relative positions.”

“Sorry Admiral, but what did you just say?” Tom Paris asked, with a slight bit of humor.

Picard chuckled himself. “I know it’s hard to fathom, Capt Paris, in fact I just repeated to you what Dr. Janice Kosinski told me. As you may or may not be aware, we have had dealings with individuals that use inter-dimensional/universal travel. The effects can be harmful on those who travel in such away. Starfleet is experimenting with a way to not only send messages, as the one I received, but possibly even Starships.”

“Wouldn’t that render warp travel obsolete?” Colonel Kira asked.

“Not exactly,” Obrien said from his place on the table, to the left of Picard, “if I remember the theory correctly, it would still require the Starship to travel to a location, or a communications probe in this case that is aligned with the destination they wish to jump to back in their original dimension.”

Nog interjected, “But isn’t it possible they might jump into another dimension that might have a problem with our using their dimension in such a way?”

“If I recall,” Picard said to that, “the dimension that is being used is the theoretical dimension of Y cubed.”

“Correct, Admiral” Obrien said to Picard, “and no, Commander Nog, the ship, or message isn’t sent into dimensions like ours. There are, in theory, infinite dimensions that just occupy space. If Starfleet has found one, close to our own, where it can transit to, then it can be done. The only problem is the effect it might have on those who make such a journey.”

“What did the message say?” Commander Tuvok asked Picard.

“The message was brief, due to power concerns, and was sent to us by Captain Geordi Leforge.” Picard said. “First off, Captain Riker is now listed as MIA due to an event at the Siberian Security Compound. There were no specifics, but they hope to have more information soon. I shall like to speak to you two,” he looked at Nog and Kira, “once this briefing concludes.”

“Of course, sir” Kira replied.

“Once tests are completed,” Picard continued, “and if they are successful, an experimental ship called Sheppard will try to make the first attempt at Starship level Y/cubed travel.”

Paris spoke up. “Could you really see this happening on a regular basis once warp space is available?”

“We don’t know how long that will be from now,” Capt Vale answered, “for all we know, we may all have to travel in this way.”

“I really doubt it will come to that,” Obrien said, “this ship, the Sheppard, must have some built in capacity that will render the debilitating effects this mode of travel has on living beings.”

“Sir,” Nog said to Picard, “why inform us of this experiment? Are they going to send the Sheppard here, and if so, why?”

They all listened closely for Picard’s response. Nog had brought it all to the front with his simple question. But before Picard could answer, Kira did.

“The Essians,” Colonel Kira said, as if she figured out a lingering puzzle. “This has something to do with the Essians, doesn’t it Admiral?”

Suddenly the alert-klaxon sounded.

“Ops to the briefing room,” the voice of the on shift Ops supervisor said, “we are detecting a fleet of eight Romulan vessels, D'deridex-class warbirds, on approach. I repeat; we are detecting a fleet of eight Romulan vessels, D'deridex-class warbirds, on approach.”

“On my way,” Kira replied.

Picard watched as they all shuffled off to their various responsibilities. Before Kira and Nog could go, he asked them to remain for a second.

“I need to speak with you two for a brief moment,” Picard said.

Kira nodded, “Yes, sir, what is it?” Kira asked.

“I’m all ears, Admiral” Nog said to Picard as well.

“That coded message you received from Odo,” Picard said, “has raised some very interesting questions.”

“Interesting in what way?” Kira asked.

“From what I was told in that message from Captain Leforge, the rogue-Founder that Odo warned us about may not have been a founder at all. It appears as if it may have been an Essian.”

“Admiral; who are these Essians?” Nog asked.

Picard shook his head, “We don’t know. However,” Picard said to Kira, “I want to meet with Mr. Odo. Once we have dealt with the arrival of the Romulans, I want you to have Master Chief Obrien configure a probe that we can send to Mr. Odo with our own secret message.”

Kira nodded, “Yes sir,” Kira replied.

And with that Kira and Nog headed for Ops, so as to deal with the arrival of the Romulan fleet.

next time;
Where is Riker!!!

 

[RobertScorpio]

Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 33

Star Trek; Shuffle the Deck
Balboa—Deep Space Nine—Federation; Earth
#33

Somewhere, in time and space;

Captain Riker still existed. That much he knew. Instantly he could relive the moment he was born, through his eyes. He could relive the moment, when he was covered in snow, and he first tasted an Eskimo stew while cheering on his uncle Frank as he crossed the finish line of an Iditarod race in Seward Alaska. He smiled at the first memory he had where he made love to a beautiful woman for the first time. He had many such memories as that one.

But that’s all they were, just memories. Not tangible experiences like Jean-Luc had spoken of when he was inside of the Nexus. At first that is where Riker thought he was, inside of the Nexus. But he wasn’t; he just existed. And, he wasn’t alone. Somehow, someway, he could sense that he was not alone. All he could see was an infinite expression of stars and other space anomalies. The last memory he had was being incased in an energy ribbon that extended from the strange ball of energy. It had called itself and Essian, and referred to Riker as Q.

Riker had, in fact, been a Q. Many years ago, while serving on the Enterprise-D, he was tempted with the choice of joining the Q. It was during the Enterprise’s second encounter with the being they referred to as Q, that Riker was given the chance which the ultimately declined. Was it possible, years after that event that remnants of what being a Q was remained part of him? And what, if any thing, did this have to do with the Wave and its effects on the galaxy. Riker didn’t know. For now; he existed.

--
President Spock, behind his desk in his office, listened to Leforge give his briefing about the message he had sent to Admiral Picard at DS9. Admiral Janeway sat next to Leforge, and Dr. Janice Kosinski sat next to her.

“And finally,” Leforge said as he concluded his briefing, “the tunnel was stable for nearly ten minutes as Admiral Picard and I exchanged data. The use of power ended up knocking most of Europe off of the power grid, but thankfully the effect didn’t last for more than an hour or so.”

“Very good,” Spock said. He turned his attention to Kosinski. “Do you have a progress report regarding the Sheppard?”

Kosinski nodded, “Yes sir, I do.” Kosinski stated. “The power consumption was pretty much what Mr. Barclay predicted. He believes, with a little more time, he can balance the power more accurately and create a tunnel large enough to send a Starship through.”

Janeway looked to Kosinski, “How long until we can attempt that?” Janeway asked.

Kosinski shook her head, “It is hard to say, exactly. But with Mr. Scott helping us now, I think we are looking a month or so.”

Spock looked back to Leforge. “Did Picard give any exact indication as to when Captain Sisko would report back to him, regarding the Essians?”

“Negative, Mr. President,” Leforge said, “however, Admiral Picard did say he would attempt to contact Mr. Odo regarding true identity of the rogue-founder/Essian that killed Captain Riker.”

“We don’t know for sure that Wil Riker is dead,” Janeway corrected Leforge.

Leforge nodded, the replied “You are correct, we don’t know. But the recordings of what happened inside that chamber were chilling to say the least.”

Janeway nodded in agreement.

“Very well then,” Spock said, “keep me posted on your work. It would not be too bold to state that the actions we take in the next few weeks may decide the very fate of us all.”

Spock watched as Leforge, Janeway and Janice Kosinski left his office. Once he was by himself, the Vulcan began to read Leforge’s written report on his communication with Picard. Suddenly Spock found himself in a spasm of pain. He reached into his desk and found a secret pouch.

Inside the pouch was his heart medicine. Just like his father, Sarek, Spock had also succumbed to the affects of heart disease. He had managed to convince his private doctor to keep it secret; for now. But Spock new that time was not on his side. But he would will himself to fight on until this dark time had passed.

--continued

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Star Trek; Shuffle The Deck part 33

So Riker DOES still have some Q-ness in him. I hope he can somehow avert that awful timeline we got a hint of...