The TNG Relaunch - My version
- Thread starter BrotherBenny
- Start date
I have always wondered what would happen if the heroes were stuck somewhere and the batteries ran down. I'm glad you think it worked. LoneRedshirt, yes, I was implying that Worf generally speaks Klingon and lets the UT do the work. However, since he grew up in a human colony and lived among humans his entire life, his Standard is pretty good.
Thanks so much, I'm enjoying writing this more than I enjoyed reading that stuff.
Thanks.
Catacombs
Under Kevrata City
Stardate 57063.5
Six people carried the comatose form of Lieutenant Sara Nave on a makeshift stretcher through the caverns of the reliquary. Although technically in command, Doctor Crusher monitored Nave, leaving Worf to lead the crew back to the surface where the Enterprise waited for them, where Picard waited for her. The light filtering through the caverns was less diffuse now and she knew that they were almost at the surface. Worf and Lieutenant Battaglia continued to exchange information but the situation was grim. Sakuro’s cure was merely a vaccine which Doctor Tropp had been hard pushed to improve on, though he had managed it. The vaccine was being injected manually to each Kevrata and Starfleet officer, and more was being synthesised, but it was taking a long time. Crusher kept one eye on the uneven path ahead of her and one eye on the tricorder which showed a steady decline in lifesign readings from Nave. The young woman was fighting an uphill battle against extreme injuries and unless they were able to get to the ship quickly, there would be nothing that could save her.
‘Doctor, Lieutenant Battaglia has informed me that Doctor Tropp has set up a makeshift surgical ward for Lieutenant Nave and any other injured.’
Crusher nodded, surprised at Tropp. ‘I would prefer to treat her on the Enterprise.’
‘Captain Picard has ordered a code grey alert,’ Worf replied and Crusher almost stumbled.
‘Why?’
‘I don’t know.’
Crusher tried to keep her mind on the tricorder but she couldn’t help but wonder. He would only have instituted such an alert if he believed they were dealing with a biological hazard of unknown capability or longevity and it was usually the ship’s chief medical officer who advised the captain.
‘Can you get a message to Tropp? I need to know what’s been happening.’
‘Doctor, we have more important things to worry about. You need to look after everyone here, not just one person, no matter how badly injured she is,’ Worf gently admonished her. ‘You are their commanding officer.’
‘I never wanted command, I just wanted to be a doctor.’
‘You still can be,’ he replied. ‘The Captain has not yet formally requested a replacement for you.’
Crusher looked at the Klingon in surprise. She laid a hand on his shoulder and saw the truth in his eyes. ‘What did he say?’
Worf turned his gaze on the cave ahead for several moments before he turned back to her. ‘“Make sure she’s safe.” That is all he said.’
She felt a tear well up and blinked it away. ‘You did what you could. I hope Geordi and the others made it safely.’
‘They did. You did not lose anyone to the treacherous Romulan.’
‘She is family, Worf, as much as we would wish to deny it, we can’t. Sela is Tasha’s daughter, I confirmed it genetically and you know what Guinan said.’
Worf scowled. The El Aurian bartender of the Enterprise-D was an enigma and a warrior. She had guided many of the crew through their darkest hours and kept them fighting their inner demons until the battle was won. She chose her friends carefully and Worf counted her among his few closest friends. She had never lied to him, not once, not even when it would have been kinder for her to do so, so when she told them late one night the true story of the Enterprise-C’s destruction, they knew it was true. He just didn’t like the fact that a daughter of the Enterprise could have wrought so much damage, death and destruction upon the galaxy.
‘Sela will pay for her transgressions. I will see to it.’
‘Worf, don’t let revenge blind you.’
The Klingon turned to her, rage burning in his eyes. ‘I will see to it that she is named a blood enemy of the House of Martok. She will rot in whichever of the nine hells she chooses.’
Crusher sighed, believing that his quest for vengeance was clouding his judgement. She decided to play a trump card. ‘Would Jadzia see it that way?’
Worf’s nostrils flared before his shoulders slumped. He remained in his angry state but the full extent of it was gone. ‘No, she would not,’ he answered. ‘But I will not let this go unpunished.’
‘We’ll deal with that bridge when we come to it,’ Crusher replied as the tricorder emitted a high-pitched warning. ‘Sakuro, I need you now, and bring the medkit.’
‘Doctor?’ Worf asked.
‘She’s going into cardiac arrest. There’s a build-up of blood in her chest and it’s crushing the internal organs.’
‘What do you need?’ Sakuro asked, breathless.
‘Lay her down,’ Crusher ordered the bearers. ‘Gently does it. Sakuro, give me one of those absorbers.’
‘I’ve never seen one of these before.’
‘I’m not surprised. A friend of mine designed it but it’s never been tested.’
‘What does it do?’ Sakuro asked.
‘Watch.’
Crusher made an incision in Nave’s chest with a laser scalpel and then ripped open the sterile packaging for the absorber. Placing the four inch sterile pad inside the small incision, both women watched it expand as it absorbed copious amounts of blood. Discarding the pad in a waste container also contained in the medkit, Crusher went to work on cauterising every wound she could see.
The passage of time slipped past her until she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder. ‘Let me take over, Beverly.’
She looked up to see Tropp standing over her with three medical technicians carrying what amounted to an emergency surgical unit. She nodded and stepped back as Tropp began his work, amputating first her left arm and then her right and left legs. With the most dangerous part of the procedure over, Tropp concentrated on keeping the rest of the young woman alive so that when she was given her artificial limbs, she would have as much chance as anybody in recovering fully. Crusher was unaware of Worf sitting her down against the cave wall and placing a blanket over her. She fell asleep listening to the reassuring rhythm of Nave’s steady heartbeat.
Under Kevrata City
Stardate 57063.5
Six people carried the comatose form of Lieutenant Sara Nave on a makeshift stretcher through the caverns of the reliquary. Although technically in command, Doctor Crusher monitored Nave, leaving Worf to lead the crew back to the surface where the Enterprise waited for them, where Picard waited for her. The light filtering through the caverns was less diffuse now and she knew that they were almost at the surface. Worf and Lieutenant Battaglia continued to exchange information but the situation was grim. Sakuro’s cure was merely a vaccine which Doctor Tropp had been hard pushed to improve on, though he had managed it. The vaccine was being injected manually to each Kevrata and Starfleet officer, and more was being synthesised, but it was taking a long time. Crusher kept one eye on the uneven path ahead of her and one eye on the tricorder which showed a steady decline in lifesign readings from Nave. The young woman was fighting an uphill battle against extreme injuries and unless they were able to get to the ship quickly, there would be nothing that could save her.
‘Doctor, Lieutenant Battaglia has informed me that Doctor Tropp has set up a makeshift surgical ward for Lieutenant Nave and any other injured.’
Crusher nodded, surprised at Tropp. ‘I would prefer to treat her on the Enterprise.’
‘Captain Picard has ordered a code grey alert,’ Worf replied and Crusher almost stumbled.
‘Why?’
‘I don’t know.’
Crusher tried to keep her mind on the tricorder but she couldn’t help but wonder. He would only have instituted such an alert if he believed they were dealing with a biological hazard of unknown capability or longevity and it was usually the ship’s chief medical officer who advised the captain.
‘Can you get a message to Tropp? I need to know what’s been happening.’
‘Doctor, we have more important things to worry about. You need to look after everyone here, not just one person, no matter how badly injured she is,’ Worf gently admonished her. ‘You are their commanding officer.’
‘I never wanted command, I just wanted to be a doctor.’
‘You still can be,’ he replied. ‘The Captain has not yet formally requested a replacement for you.’
Crusher looked at the Klingon in surprise. She laid a hand on his shoulder and saw the truth in his eyes. ‘What did he say?’
Worf turned his gaze on the cave ahead for several moments before he turned back to her. ‘“Make sure she’s safe.” That is all he said.’
She felt a tear well up and blinked it away. ‘You did what you could. I hope Geordi and the others made it safely.’
‘They did. You did not lose anyone to the treacherous Romulan.’
‘She is family, Worf, as much as we would wish to deny it, we can’t. Sela is Tasha’s daughter, I confirmed it genetically and you know what Guinan said.’
Worf scowled. The El Aurian bartender of the Enterprise-D was an enigma and a warrior. She had guided many of the crew through their darkest hours and kept them fighting their inner demons until the battle was won. She chose her friends carefully and Worf counted her among his few closest friends. She had never lied to him, not once, not even when it would have been kinder for her to do so, so when she told them late one night the true story of the Enterprise-C’s destruction, they knew it was true. He just didn’t like the fact that a daughter of the Enterprise could have wrought so much damage, death and destruction upon the galaxy.
‘Sela will pay for her transgressions. I will see to it.’
‘Worf, don’t let revenge blind you.’
The Klingon turned to her, rage burning in his eyes. ‘I will see to it that she is named a blood enemy of the House of Martok. She will rot in whichever of the nine hells she chooses.’
Crusher sighed, believing that his quest for vengeance was clouding his judgement. She decided to play a trump card. ‘Would Jadzia see it that way?’
Worf’s nostrils flared before his shoulders slumped. He remained in his angry state but the full extent of it was gone. ‘No, she would not,’ he answered. ‘But I will not let this go unpunished.’
‘We’ll deal with that bridge when we come to it,’ Crusher replied as the tricorder emitted a high-pitched warning. ‘Sakuro, I need you now, and bring the medkit.’
‘Doctor?’ Worf asked.
‘She’s going into cardiac arrest. There’s a build-up of blood in her chest and it’s crushing the internal organs.’
‘What do you need?’ Sakuro asked, breathless.
‘Lay her down,’ Crusher ordered the bearers. ‘Gently does it. Sakuro, give me one of those absorbers.’
‘I’ve never seen one of these before.’
‘I’m not surprised. A friend of mine designed it but it’s never been tested.’
‘What does it do?’ Sakuro asked.
‘Watch.’
Crusher made an incision in Nave’s chest with a laser scalpel and then ripped open the sterile packaging for the absorber. Placing the four inch sterile pad inside the small incision, both women watched it expand as it absorbed copious amounts of blood. Discarding the pad in a waste container also contained in the medkit, Crusher went to work on cauterising every wound she could see.
The passage of time slipped past her until she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder. ‘Let me take over, Beverly.’
She looked up to see Tropp standing over her with three medical technicians carrying what amounted to an emergency surgical unit. She nodded and stepped back as Tropp began his work, amputating first her left arm and then her right and left legs. With the most dangerous part of the procedure over, Tropp concentrated on keeping the rest of the young woman alive so that when she was given her artificial limbs, she would have as much chance as anybody in recovering fully. Crusher was unaware of Worf sitting her down against the cave wall and placing a blanket over her. She fell asleep listening to the reassuring rhythm of Nave’s steady heartbeat.
You really have captured the canon characters nicely here--especially Beverley's referring to the Enterprise crew as a 'family' and her including Sela in that family--well, every family has a black sheep in it...
Nave paid a heavy price for her heroism, but she is alive...
I'm definitely enjoying this better than the novels. Very well done!
Nave paid a heavy price for her heroism, but she is alive...
I'm definitely enjoying this better than the novels. Very well done!
I enjoyed the dialogue between Worf and Crusher - it came across as very authentic. They're more than comrades in arms, they are family.
Worf needs to set aside his thirst for vengeance and stay focused on the task at hand. They're not out of the woods yet!
I'm continuing to enjoy this story!
Worf needs to set aside his thirst for vengeance and stay focused on the task at hand. They're not out of the woods yet!
I'm continuing to enjoy this story!
I've rechaptered the story so that each new section posted is a new chapter. Makes it easier to keep track of for me, so here we go with the next part.
Chapter Nineteen
USS Enterprise
Kevratas orbit
Stardate 57070.5
Drifting back to consciousness from the dark depths of hell, Lieutenant Sara Nave opened her eyes and slammed them shut again. She was no longer in the cave but aboard a starship. It wasn’t that so much as another feeling that struck her.
She was alive.
After pushing Worf out of the way of the rock fall, she had expected to feel nothing ever again. As the cobwebs cleared from her mind, she realised that she didn’t actually feel much of anything, except warmth. Neurons which hadn’t fired in two and a half days according to her internal clock sent signals to her left arm to wipe her forehead. When this failed to produce any type of response, Nave opened her eyes again and looked to her arm.
It was gone.
Deciding to take a full inventory of her body, she noticed that her right arm was still in place but below her torso, the blanket which was supposed to be covering her legs was conspicuously flat. Sitting up as best she could, and using her right arm, Nave pulled the sheet toward her and saw the cauterised stumps of both legs. She let herself fall back onto the biobed as a single tear made its way down her cheek. An intrusive finger wiped it away and a voice whispered something she didn’t quite hear.
‘Huh?’ she asked hoarsely as she blinked more tears away.
‘I’m here, Sara,’ Lieutenant Lionardo Battaglia said softly. ‘Right by your side.’
‘What happened?’
‘You got hurt, bad,’ he said. His voice was soft but stern at the same time. He was doing her a favour by not sugar-coating it. ‘You had almost a half-ton of rock crushing you. Doctor Tropp had to take your left arm and both legs so the rest of you could live.’
‘What rest of me?’ she spat with a dry mouth. ‘I’m a head, an arm and a chest.’
‘Mister Battaglia, I thought I asked you to stay away from my patient!’ Tropp said, intruding on their moment.
‘I’ll be back later,’ Battaglia replied and beat a hasty retreat.
‘I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I was planning to break the news to you a little easier than that.’
‘Why bother, there’s nothing you can do about it is there? I can’t get my limbs back.’
‘Actually, you can, but the technique is still in the experimental stages, though great strides have been made in the last few years.’
‘Will I be able to walk again?’ Nave asked, feeling slightly better about having almost three fifths of her body removed.
Tropp considered his answer. ‘If it works you’ll regain full mobility in your arm and legs, they’ll be grown from your own DNA.’
‘I want to talk to Doctor Crusher about this,’ she replied and saw Tropp’s expression. ‘She doesn’t know you’re offering me this, does she?’
‘No, the pioneer of the technology and Doctor Crusher don’t get along too well.’
‘I see, let me see the latest research.’
Tropp hesitated.
‘Doc, what are the chances of continuing my career with biosynthetic limbs, have they been used in someone as...crippled as I am before?’
‘No, they haven’t, which is why I’m suggesting the genitronic replicator.’
Doctor Tropp!’ Tropp winced at the sound of Crusher’s voice.
He turned round. ‘Yes, Doctor?’
‘My office please.’
Tropp nodded and walked away with a backward glance at Nave.
‘Doctor Crusher, what is going to happen to me?’
‘I was going to have you transferred to Starfleet Medical for rehabilitation.’
‘What about the device that Tropp was talking about?’
Crusher sighed. ‘Twelve years ago, Worf was severely injured and I asked neurogeneticist Toby Russell to consult. She brought aboard a pioneering new device which replicates DNA from damaged organs and grows new ones.’ She leaned in to Nave and lowered her voice to a near whisper. ‘Worf died on that operating table and it was only his Klingon physiology which allowed us to revive him. I’ve kept up with Russell’s research on genitronic replication and Starfleet approved the technique during the war on some near-terminal cases. With humans, her success rate is only fifty percent.’
‘But I can still go with biosynthetics if it doesn’t work, right?’ Nave asked and looked down. ‘If I don’t have my legs, why do they hurt?’
‘It’s called phantom pain,’ Crusher answered. ‘I honestly don’t know what will happen if the genitronic replicator doesn’t work. I can speak with Doctor Russell and pass across your information, see if she’ll take you on.’
‘I need to think about it for a little while. Can you get Lio for me?’
Crusher nodded. ‘Of course, if you need anything just call.’
‘I will,’ Nave replied with a wan smile as Crusher left.
She sighed. Everyone had suggestions for her to get her arm and legs back, but if she looked deep inside herself, she had to wonder whether she wanted to or not. And why she might not want to. Being in Starfleet was her dream come true, and piloting the flagship was the icing on the proverbial cake. Her mind was still sharp and she felt that that was the most important aspect of her current condition. Either she would spend months at Starfleet Medical getting new limbs made for her and learning how to use them again, to walk or to grip and then fly; or she would spend months in a lab having new legs and a new arm made for her, surgically attached and then learning how to walk again. Neither option was something that appealed to her, and yet, whether she decided to stay in Starfleet or not, she really could use all her limbs.
The biobed she lay in was in a small surgical wing off the main sickbay and kept her away from prying eyes. It also made her feel cut off, and she had no idea how many visitors she had received. Of course Lio would have spent every waking hour, and several sleeping ones, by her bedside, but she wondered if Worf had come by. Probably not, it would have been too dishonourable to see a crippled warrior, if that was indeed what she was. She sighed again, and felt a stab of pain in her chest, reminding her that for the moment, she was still alive.
‘Hey,’ Battaglia said as he came to sit by her bedside.
‘Hey,’ she replied with a smile. ‘We need to talk,’ she added, having come to a decision.
***
Chapter Nineteen
USS Enterprise
Kevratas orbit
Stardate 57070.5
Drifting back to consciousness from the dark depths of hell, Lieutenant Sara Nave opened her eyes and slammed them shut again. She was no longer in the cave but aboard a starship. It wasn’t that so much as another feeling that struck her.
She was alive.
After pushing Worf out of the way of the rock fall, she had expected to feel nothing ever again. As the cobwebs cleared from her mind, she realised that she didn’t actually feel much of anything, except warmth. Neurons which hadn’t fired in two and a half days according to her internal clock sent signals to her left arm to wipe her forehead. When this failed to produce any type of response, Nave opened her eyes again and looked to her arm.
It was gone.
Deciding to take a full inventory of her body, she noticed that her right arm was still in place but below her torso, the blanket which was supposed to be covering her legs was conspicuously flat. Sitting up as best she could, and using her right arm, Nave pulled the sheet toward her and saw the cauterised stumps of both legs. She let herself fall back onto the biobed as a single tear made its way down her cheek. An intrusive finger wiped it away and a voice whispered something she didn’t quite hear.
‘Huh?’ she asked hoarsely as she blinked more tears away.
‘I’m here, Sara,’ Lieutenant Lionardo Battaglia said softly. ‘Right by your side.’
‘What happened?’
‘You got hurt, bad,’ he said. His voice was soft but stern at the same time. He was doing her a favour by not sugar-coating it. ‘You had almost a half-ton of rock crushing you. Doctor Tropp had to take your left arm and both legs so the rest of you could live.’
‘What rest of me?’ she spat with a dry mouth. ‘I’m a head, an arm and a chest.’
‘Mister Battaglia, I thought I asked you to stay away from my patient!’ Tropp said, intruding on their moment.
‘I’ll be back later,’ Battaglia replied and beat a hasty retreat.
‘I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I was planning to break the news to you a little easier than that.’
‘Why bother, there’s nothing you can do about it is there? I can’t get my limbs back.’
‘Actually, you can, but the technique is still in the experimental stages, though great strides have been made in the last few years.’
‘Will I be able to walk again?’ Nave asked, feeling slightly better about having almost three fifths of her body removed.
Tropp considered his answer. ‘If it works you’ll regain full mobility in your arm and legs, they’ll be grown from your own DNA.’
‘I want to talk to Doctor Crusher about this,’ she replied and saw Tropp’s expression. ‘She doesn’t know you’re offering me this, does she?’
‘No, the pioneer of the technology and Doctor Crusher don’t get along too well.’
‘I see, let me see the latest research.’
Tropp hesitated.
‘Doc, what are the chances of continuing my career with biosynthetic limbs, have they been used in someone as...crippled as I am before?’
‘No, they haven’t, which is why I’m suggesting the genitronic replicator.’
Doctor Tropp!’ Tropp winced at the sound of Crusher’s voice.
He turned round. ‘Yes, Doctor?’
‘My office please.’
Tropp nodded and walked away with a backward glance at Nave.
‘Doctor Crusher, what is going to happen to me?’
‘I was going to have you transferred to Starfleet Medical for rehabilitation.’
‘What about the device that Tropp was talking about?’
Crusher sighed. ‘Twelve years ago, Worf was severely injured and I asked neurogeneticist Toby Russell to consult. She brought aboard a pioneering new device which replicates DNA from damaged organs and grows new ones.’ She leaned in to Nave and lowered her voice to a near whisper. ‘Worf died on that operating table and it was only his Klingon physiology which allowed us to revive him. I’ve kept up with Russell’s research on genitronic replication and Starfleet approved the technique during the war on some near-terminal cases. With humans, her success rate is only fifty percent.’
‘But I can still go with biosynthetics if it doesn’t work, right?’ Nave asked and looked down. ‘If I don’t have my legs, why do they hurt?’
‘It’s called phantom pain,’ Crusher answered. ‘I honestly don’t know what will happen if the genitronic replicator doesn’t work. I can speak with Doctor Russell and pass across your information, see if she’ll take you on.’
‘I need to think about it for a little while. Can you get Lio for me?’
Crusher nodded. ‘Of course, if you need anything just call.’
‘I will,’ Nave replied with a wan smile as Crusher left.
She sighed. Everyone had suggestions for her to get her arm and legs back, but if she looked deep inside herself, she had to wonder whether she wanted to or not. And why she might not want to. Being in Starfleet was her dream come true, and piloting the flagship was the icing on the proverbial cake. Her mind was still sharp and she felt that that was the most important aspect of her current condition. Either she would spend months at Starfleet Medical getting new limbs made for her and learning how to use them again, to walk or to grip and then fly; or she would spend months in a lab having new legs and a new arm made for her, surgically attached and then learning how to walk again. Neither option was something that appealed to her, and yet, whether she decided to stay in Starfleet or not, she really could use all her limbs.
The biobed she lay in was in a small surgical wing off the main sickbay and kept her away from prying eyes. It also made her feel cut off, and she had no idea how many visitors she had received. Of course Lio would have spent every waking hour, and several sleeping ones, by her bedside, but she wondered if Worf had come by. Probably not, it would have been too dishonourable to see a crippled warrior, if that was indeed what she was. She sighed again, and felt a stab of pain in her chest, reminding her that for the moment, she was still alive.
‘Hey,’ Battaglia said as he came to sit by her bedside.
‘Hey,’ she replied with a smile. ‘We need to talk,’ she added, having come to a decision.
Now comes the hard part--putting back the pieces. Nave's got a hard row to hoe no matter what option she chooses.
Chapter Twenty
USS Enterprise
Kevratas orbit
Stardate 57070.8
It was the first time in several months that Captain Picard had all his senior officers sitting around the conference table, although it was slightly more crowded than usual. Sitting to his right were Commanders Worf and Madden, Doctor Crusher and Commander La Forge. On his left were Counsellor T’Lana, Doctor Tropp, Lieutenant Commander Kadohata and Lieutenant Battaglia. He didn’t like the way they had seated themselves as old crew and new but he would address that in good time. Right now, he needed to make sure that everyone was on the same page.
‘Firstly, I’d like to say welcome back,’ he said to Crusher, Worf and La Forge. ‘Secondly, I would like to know exactly where we are in dealing with the Kevratas plague. Command is asking for an update and I need something to give them.’
Crusher nodded to Tropp to go ahead. ‘Working from the work of Doctor Crusher’s team, we have developed a cure for the plague that the Kevrata call jaceta. However, it would appear that the disease was specifically tailored to affect them and them alone. There is no danger of it affecting anyone else from any other species.’
Crusher took over. ‘What we need to do is have a team of medical specialists, much like the Corps of Engineers have their own teams, travelling through these border areas tailoring the cure to every planet affected. It is a long-term job and I believe that the Praetor will be amenable to our help if it is phrased correctly.’
Picard nodded. ‘What about finding the person responsible for this?’
Tropp spoke up. ‘I have looked through the genome of the plague for the specific signature markers that all biologists use to distinguish their work and at first I found nothing.’
‘What do you mean, “at first”?’ Battaglia asked.
‘I asked the computer to look for any similarities, no matter how slight, between the jaceta genome and that of anything in the Federation database. It found a match, but only with a seven percent probability.’
‘Who?’
‘Arik Soong,’ Tropp replied. ‘A twenty-second century geneticist.’
‘The man who stole genetically-engineered Augments from embryos leftover after the Eugenics Wars. The man who nearly plunged the Klingon Empire and the nascent Earth Starfleet into war before he was put back in his box by Captain Archer and the crew of the Enterprise,’ Crusher added.
‘Why is there only a seven percent match?’
‘Because whoever is using his work has made some exceptional modifications of their own. But the problem is that at its base, there is still Augment DNA.’
Picard sighed. Even now, genetic engineering was a hot topic, especially after certain incidents perpetrated during the war. ‘Is there anything more we can do for the Kevrata?’
‘No sir,’ Crusher answered. ‘Not medically.’
‘Mister Battaglia?’
‘The Kevrata have already started to make repairs. We could leave them a few industrial replicators to assist but there’s very little they need from us. They’re extremely independent.’
‘What about the Romulans?’ Worf asked. ‘Will they not return?’
Picard thought about the answer. ‘Not for a while. Tal’Aura has Sela running after the same doctor we are, and this planet was merely a convenient place to look. Sela is one step ahead of us with that new warbird of hers. We need to make our next move, and do it soon. Suggestions?’
Madden, who up until this point had been silent on the matter, spoke in a tone that, while not commanding, was not weak. ‘Where was the original Augment DNA held in the twenty-second century? Perhaps we could find some answers there.’
Tropp and Crusher both nodded.
‘Very well, find out where they are stored and transfer coordinates to the helm. We’ll get underway shortly, dismissed. Doctor Crusher, Mister Worf, Mister Battaglia, remain a moment please.’
As the others filed out to return to their posts, Picard made a few notes on a padd he had in front of him. ‘Mister Worf, I would like you to return to my right hand side as my first officer, but I want you to work with Lieutenant Commander Madden for the moment, until such a time as a decision is made by Command as who will retain the position.’
‘Aye sir, will that be all?’ the Klingon asked levelly.
‘Dismissed,’ Picard said and turned to Battaglia. ‘I’ve been looking over your proposal and I think it has merit. Who do you suggest for the role of security chief?’
‘Reluctantly, sir, I have no recommendations at this time. None of the security personnel on board have sufficient experience for the position.’
‘I see,’ he replied and made a few more notes. ‘That will be all for now, Lieutenant. Thank you.’
‘Aye sir, Doctor,’ Battaglia replied and hurried out.
Picard was now left alone with Crusher and the tension was almost uncomfortable, but not quite. ‘Captain, I would like to inform you of a decision I am considering,’ she said.
Picard nodded.
‘I received a call from Starfleet Medical regarding this plague and after giving my report, I spoke with Chirurgeon P’Trell.’
‘Your Caitian assistant?’
‘Deputy Head of Starfleet Medical,’ she corrected. ‘I offered him my position on the proviso that I be reassigned to the Enterprise as chief medical officer.’
Picard smiled. ‘I take it Ghee accepted that proviso?’
‘He did.’
‘I’m glad to have you back aboard,’ he said and stood up.
She did the same and they embraced. After they pulled away, she held his gaze for a long moment and then turned to walk out.
‘Dinner?’ he asked.
‘I’d love to,’ she replied and he smiled again.
They both walked out onto the bridge and as Crusher headed for the turbolift, Picard strode toward his chair, a slight spring in his step.
‘Captain,’ Kadohata turned from her Operations console. ‘The Augment DNA is still held at Cold Station Twelve. It is still a classified research facility.’
‘Set a course, Ensign McGowan, warp eight.’
‘Aye sir,’ Kadohata replied.
‘Warp eight, aye,’ McGowan added.
Picard leaned forward in his chair, and aimed his fingers forward in an almost-salute. ‘Engage.’
USS Enterprise
Kevratas orbit
Stardate 57070.8
It was the first time in several months that Captain Picard had all his senior officers sitting around the conference table, although it was slightly more crowded than usual. Sitting to his right were Commanders Worf and Madden, Doctor Crusher and Commander La Forge. On his left were Counsellor T’Lana, Doctor Tropp, Lieutenant Commander Kadohata and Lieutenant Battaglia. He didn’t like the way they had seated themselves as old crew and new but he would address that in good time. Right now, he needed to make sure that everyone was on the same page.
‘Firstly, I’d like to say welcome back,’ he said to Crusher, Worf and La Forge. ‘Secondly, I would like to know exactly where we are in dealing with the Kevratas plague. Command is asking for an update and I need something to give them.’
Crusher nodded to Tropp to go ahead. ‘Working from the work of Doctor Crusher’s team, we have developed a cure for the plague that the Kevrata call jaceta. However, it would appear that the disease was specifically tailored to affect them and them alone. There is no danger of it affecting anyone else from any other species.’
Crusher took over. ‘What we need to do is have a team of medical specialists, much like the Corps of Engineers have their own teams, travelling through these border areas tailoring the cure to every planet affected. It is a long-term job and I believe that the Praetor will be amenable to our help if it is phrased correctly.’
Picard nodded. ‘What about finding the person responsible for this?’
Tropp spoke up. ‘I have looked through the genome of the plague for the specific signature markers that all biologists use to distinguish their work and at first I found nothing.’
‘What do you mean, “at first”?’ Battaglia asked.
‘I asked the computer to look for any similarities, no matter how slight, between the jaceta genome and that of anything in the Federation database. It found a match, but only with a seven percent probability.’
‘Who?’
‘Arik Soong,’ Tropp replied. ‘A twenty-second century geneticist.’
‘The man who stole genetically-engineered Augments from embryos leftover after the Eugenics Wars. The man who nearly plunged the Klingon Empire and the nascent Earth Starfleet into war before he was put back in his box by Captain Archer and the crew of the Enterprise,’ Crusher added.
‘Why is there only a seven percent match?’
‘Because whoever is using his work has made some exceptional modifications of their own. But the problem is that at its base, there is still Augment DNA.’
Picard sighed. Even now, genetic engineering was a hot topic, especially after certain incidents perpetrated during the war. ‘Is there anything more we can do for the Kevrata?’
‘No sir,’ Crusher answered. ‘Not medically.’
‘Mister Battaglia?’
‘The Kevrata have already started to make repairs. We could leave them a few industrial replicators to assist but there’s very little they need from us. They’re extremely independent.’
‘What about the Romulans?’ Worf asked. ‘Will they not return?’
Picard thought about the answer. ‘Not for a while. Tal’Aura has Sela running after the same doctor we are, and this planet was merely a convenient place to look. Sela is one step ahead of us with that new warbird of hers. We need to make our next move, and do it soon. Suggestions?’
Madden, who up until this point had been silent on the matter, spoke in a tone that, while not commanding, was not weak. ‘Where was the original Augment DNA held in the twenty-second century? Perhaps we could find some answers there.’
Tropp and Crusher both nodded.
‘Very well, find out where they are stored and transfer coordinates to the helm. We’ll get underway shortly, dismissed. Doctor Crusher, Mister Worf, Mister Battaglia, remain a moment please.’
As the others filed out to return to their posts, Picard made a few notes on a padd he had in front of him. ‘Mister Worf, I would like you to return to my right hand side as my first officer, but I want you to work with Lieutenant Commander Madden for the moment, until such a time as a decision is made by Command as who will retain the position.’
‘Aye sir, will that be all?’ the Klingon asked levelly.
‘Dismissed,’ Picard said and turned to Battaglia. ‘I’ve been looking over your proposal and I think it has merit. Who do you suggest for the role of security chief?’
‘Reluctantly, sir, I have no recommendations at this time. None of the security personnel on board have sufficient experience for the position.’
‘I see,’ he replied and made a few more notes. ‘That will be all for now, Lieutenant. Thank you.’
‘Aye sir, Doctor,’ Battaglia replied and hurried out.
Picard was now left alone with Crusher and the tension was almost uncomfortable, but not quite. ‘Captain, I would like to inform you of a decision I am considering,’ she said.
Picard nodded.
‘I received a call from Starfleet Medical regarding this plague and after giving my report, I spoke with Chirurgeon P’Trell.’
‘Your Caitian assistant?’
‘Deputy Head of Starfleet Medical,’ she corrected. ‘I offered him my position on the proviso that I be reassigned to the Enterprise as chief medical officer.’
Picard smiled. ‘I take it Ghee accepted that proviso?’
‘He did.’
‘I’m glad to have you back aboard,’ he said and stood up.
She did the same and they embraced. After they pulled away, she held his gaze for a long moment and then turned to walk out.
‘Dinner?’ he asked.
‘I’d love to,’ she replied and he smiled again.
They both walked out onto the bridge and as Crusher headed for the turbolift, Picard strode toward his chair, a slight spring in his step.
‘Captain,’ Kadohata turned from her Operations console. ‘The Augment DNA is still held at Cold Station Twelve. It is still a classified research facility.’
‘Set a course, Ensign McGowan, warp eight.’
‘Aye sir,’ Kadohata replied.
‘Warp eight, aye,’ McGowan added.
Picard leaned forward in his chair, and aimed his fingers forward in an almost-salute. ‘Engage.’
Like how you have ENT elements added into the mix and to see Crusher back aboard as CMO. Should be interesting to see what happens next.
No, due to the increased level of work and therefore exhaustion, I have decided to send almost all my writing projects to the backburner.
The situation stands thus:
TNGR - Bloodfire (finally got a good title!) - Active
Dauntless 1x04 - To Serve the Unwise - Active
Stargate: First Contact - Hiatus
Star Trek: Equinox - Hiatus
Monthly Challenges - Hiatus
CSI:SF - Saving General Patten - Hiatus
Original Sci Fi Novel - Hiatus
Hopefully, as things calm down in the next couple of months I'll add them all back into the "Active" list.
Nice set up for the continuation of Bloodfire. Old gang and new gang and tensions between both with Picard in the middle. Now, he has to turn two crews into one while dealing with a crisis situation.
Good to see both Worf and Crusher back on the E. This has been a very engaging story - very nice writing.
I understand having to curtail your writing. Unfortunately, Real Life interrupts on occasion.
I understand having to curtail your writing. Unfortunately, Real Life interrupts on occasion.
Chapter Twenty-One
IRW Llaihr
Unroth System
Stardate 57071.3
Although the powerful prototype warbird was under the auspices of the Tal Shiar, it was under Sela’s command and she took pride in making sure that Rekar knew it every time he stepped onto the bridge. She sat in the command chair, which on this bridge was less like the traditional throne and more like a chariot, and watched thousands of feeds from across the quadrant. With the long-range sensor array finally back in operation, she could watch everything from Klingon opera to Andorian gladiatorial contests. However, her favourite pastime was listening to the decoded chatter from hundreds of starbases and outposts belonging to dozens of species. There was the usual ship and personnel deployment information which the Tal Shiar would provide to its agents in the field as well as the more secure briefings given over subspace between high-ranking officers from different empires, but none of that interested her right now. What did interest her was the fact that she no longer saw something on a particular feed.
‘Rekar, where’s the Enterprise?’
The former commander ran back the feed from the Kevrata colony’s orbital satellite and swallowed as he saw the Federation starship disappear from orbit. ‘They left orbit some time ago, tracking their trajectory.’
‘Where are they going?’ she asked impatiently. ‘You were supposed to inform me when they broke orbit.’
‘I apologise, Commander. I won’t fail you again,’ Rekar replied through gritted teeth. ‘It would appear that the Enterprise is heading back toward Federation space, to Denobulan territory. There is nothing of importance in that area.’
Sela screeched with anger, strode over to Rekar’s station and slammed her fist into his chest. ‘There is something there otherwise they wouldn’t be going. Maybe you’re clearance level isn’t high enough,’ she sneered.
Sure enough, after entering her own command code (without Rekar seeing it of course) a number of additional objects appeared on the star chart, but none appeared to be of major importance, except for one which lay almost exactly halfway between Earth and Denobula Triaxa. She enlarged it and then narrowed her eyes at the information on the screen. Blanking it, she transferred the image to her office just off the bridge and left Rekar gasping for breath.
‘I take it you have something?’ Rehaek asked of her.
‘I do,’ Sela replied. ‘It didn’t show up on the star chart without my entering my authorisation code.’
Rehaek raised an eyebrow. ‘What is so hidden?’
‘A Federation biological research facility,’ she replied. ‘It has an interesting history attached to it, such as the link to the Augment-Klingon skirmishes of 2154.’
‘Terran Augments?’ Rehaek muttered and then snapped his fingers. ‘Of course, the ancestor of that thrice-damned android stole Augment embryos and somehow the Klingons got hold of it as well.’
‘The Enterprise is on her way there, even at maximum speed, we will not get there before them.’
‘It is of no consequence. We will follow the Enterprise until Captain Picard leads us to our mystery scientist.’
‘And then?’
‘Then you may destroy the ship, if it can be done. As you know from your own experiences, ships bearing that name are notoriously hard to destroy. Even the Klingons could only succeed using subterfuge and kidnapping.’
Sela scowled. ‘This is the most powerful vessel in the Romulan fleet. Not even the Enterprise can match it for strength.’
‘Captain Picard destroyed the Scimitar, do not be so quick to judge, lest you kill us all.’
‘Do we set course for the station?’
‘Yes,’ the Tal Shiar’s director replied after several moments’ consideration. ‘The closer we are to Picard, the better chance we have of catching the man responsible.’
Sela nodded and made to leave, but paused to add, ‘it could have been a woman.’
Rehaek chuckled.
‘Rekar, set a course to follow the Enterprise, make sure we remain outside their sensor range.’
‘Isn’t that outside ours as well?’
Sela moved her hand to her disruptor before thinking that killing him was not a good idea. He was alive for a reason, just as she was. The Tal Shiar had a habit of exercising their control over the Continuing Committee to retrieve people they could consider assets. Sela had been saved twice by the Tal Shiar and she did not intend for it to happen again. The inconvenience of it was that it was under two different praetors, otherwise she might not have been saved at all.
‘Our sensors are better. Remain one quarter of a light year from them.’
‘It will take several days for us to catch up to them.’
‘We will keep an active feed until we are within range. The Federation and their allies still believe that this array is non-functional. I intend to keep it that way.’
‘Yes, Commander.’
Rehaek suddenly emerged from the office. ‘The Kevrata are vulnerable once again. Send a warbird loyal to us to seize control of the planet. This time they will not seek independence.’
Sela smiled and Rekar felt the temperature drop several degrees. ‘It will be done, Director.’
‘Excellent, let me know when Kevratas is ours, and make you have plenty of images. Perhaps Picard will think twice before interfering again once he knows the price his beleaguered friends will pay.’
‘He will not give up easily and if that Klingon survived, he is likely to push for an attack once he sees what we have done to those furry pests,’ Sela replied. ‘I will enjoy watching them squirm like worms on a hook.’
Rehaek shot her a questioning glance.
‘It is a Terran expression, but one I think that is quite apt.’
‘Indeed. How long before we reach Cold Station Twelve?’
‘Four days, at maximum cruising speed. We daren’t go any faster lest the cloak not completely mask everything,’ Sela answered. ‘We’ll be able to track the Enterprise as soon as we get within one quarter of a light year.’
Rehaek nodded. ‘Carry on.’
Sela returned to her chair and Rekar hurried to obey her orders. One day soon she would get what she deserved and he would have a command again. The Elements demanded it from him.
IRW Llaihr
Unroth System
Stardate 57071.3
Although the powerful prototype warbird was under the auspices of the Tal Shiar, it was under Sela’s command and she took pride in making sure that Rekar knew it every time he stepped onto the bridge. She sat in the command chair, which on this bridge was less like the traditional throne and more like a chariot, and watched thousands of feeds from across the quadrant. With the long-range sensor array finally back in operation, she could watch everything from Klingon opera to Andorian gladiatorial contests. However, her favourite pastime was listening to the decoded chatter from hundreds of starbases and outposts belonging to dozens of species. There was the usual ship and personnel deployment information which the Tal Shiar would provide to its agents in the field as well as the more secure briefings given over subspace between high-ranking officers from different empires, but none of that interested her right now. What did interest her was the fact that she no longer saw something on a particular feed.
‘Rekar, where’s the Enterprise?’
The former commander ran back the feed from the Kevrata colony’s orbital satellite and swallowed as he saw the Federation starship disappear from orbit. ‘They left orbit some time ago, tracking their trajectory.’
‘Where are they going?’ she asked impatiently. ‘You were supposed to inform me when they broke orbit.’
‘I apologise, Commander. I won’t fail you again,’ Rekar replied through gritted teeth. ‘It would appear that the Enterprise is heading back toward Federation space, to Denobulan territory. There is nothing of importance in that area.’
Sela screeched with anger, strode over to Rekar’s station and slammed her fist into his chest. ‘There is something there otherwise they wouldn’t be going. Maybe you’re clearance level isn’t high enough,’ she sneered.
Sure enough, after entering her own command code (without Rekar seeing it of course) a number of additional objects appeared on the star chart, but none appeared to be of major importance, except for one which lay almost exactly halfway between Earth and Denobula Triaxa. She enlarged it and then narrowed her eyes at the information on the screen. Blanking it, she transferred the image to her office just off the bridge and left Rekar gasping for breath.
‘I take it you have something?’ Rehaek asked of her.
‘I do,’ Sela replied. ‘It didn’t show up on the star chart without my entering my authorisation code.’
Rehaek raised an eyebrow. ‘What is so hidden?’
‘A Federation biological research facility,’ she replied. ‘It has an interesting history attached to it, such as the link to the Augment-Klingon skirmishes of 2154.’
‘Terran Augments?’ Rehaek muttered and then snapped his fingers. ‘Of course, the ancestor of that thrice-damned android stole Augment embryos and somehow the Klingons got hold of it as well.’
‘The Enterprise is on her way there, even at maximum speed, we will not get there before them.’
‘It is of no consequence. We will follow the Enterprise until Captain Picard leads us to our mystery scientist.’
‘And then?’
‘Then you may destroy the ship, if it can be done. As you know from your own experiences, ships bearing that name are notoriously hard to destroy. Even the Klingons could only succeed using subterfuge and kidnapping.’
Sela scowled. ‘This is the most powerful vessel in the Romulan fleet. Not even the Enterprise can match it for strength.’
‘Captain Picard destroyed the Scimitar, do not be so quick to judge, lest you kill us all.’
‘Do we set course for the station?’
‘Yes,’ the Tal Shiar’s director replied after several moments’ consideration. ‘The closer we are to Picard, the better chance we have of catching the man responsible.’
Sela nodded and made to leave, but paused to add, ‘it could have been a woman.’
Rehaek chuckled.
‘Rekar, set a course to follow the Enterprise, make sure we remain outside their sensor range.’
‘Isn’t that outside ours as well?’
Sela moved her hand to her disruptor before thinking that killing him was not a good idea. He was alive for a reason, just as she was. The Tal Shiar had a habit of exercising their control over the Continuing Committee to retrieve people they could consider assets. Sela had been saved twice by the Tal Shiar and she did not intend for it to happen again. The inconvenience of it was that it was under two different praetors, otherwise she might not have been saved at all.
‘Our sensors are better. Remain one quarter of a light year from them.’
‘It will take several days for us to catch up to them.’
‘We will keep an active feed until we are within range. The Federation and their allies still believe that this array is non-functional. I intend to keep it that way.’
‘Yes, Commander.’
Rehaek suddenly emerged from the office. ‘The Kevrata are vulnerable once again. Send a warbird loyal to us to seize control of the planet. This time they will not seek independence.’
Sela smiled and Rekar felt the temperature drop several degrees. ‘It will be done, Director.’
‘Excellent, let me know when Kevratas is ours, and make you have plenty of images. Perhaps Picard will think twice before interfering again once he knows the price his beleaguered friends will pay.’
‘He will not give up easily and if that Klingon survived, he is likely to push for an attack once he sees what we have done to those furry pests,’ Sela replied. ‘I will enjoy watching them squirm like worms on a hook.’
Rehaek shot her a questioning glance.
‘It is a Terran expression, but one I think that is quite apt.’
‘Indeed. How long before we reach Cold Station Twelve?’
‘Four days, at maximum cruising speed. We daren’t go any faster lest the cloak not completely mask everything,’ Sela answered. ‘We’ll be able to track the Enterprise as soon as we get within one quarter of a light year.’
Rehaek nodded. ‘Carry on.’
Sela returned to her chair and Rekar hurried to obey her orders. One day soon she would get what she deserved and he would have a command again. The Elements demanded it from him.
Plotting and scheming as Sela is on the trail. Looks like Cold Station Twelve is going to get rather busy soon.
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