Subject: Trek book Chapter4 Here's another installment of my book. Keep those comments/cri

From: geiger@canisius.UUCP (Doug Geiger) Subject: Trek book Chapter4 Here's another installment of my book. Keep those comments/criticisms coming...They're very helpful... (C) 1991 - Doug Geiger Chapter 4 Captain's Log - Stardate 42767.3 First Officer William T. Riker reporting Since Q's departure, all crew member's in all departments have been working around the clock, checking all Enterprise systems for any defects left when Q reintegrated the secondary hull. So far, none have been found. The checks must be completed soon. The Xin ship we've confronted has moved over forty meters since Q left and is picking up speed. Lieutenant Commander Data has been researching the probe Q spoke of and has nothing to report as yet. Captain Picard has slipped into a coma. But there is good news. Lieutenant Worf has recovered and is back on duty. "Commander, I have completed the research you ordered. Details concerning the probe itself are sketchy, as the probe rendered all technology within range powerless. Upon reaching Earth, the probe sent powerful signals into the oceans, trying to communicate with Earth's whale population. As the whales had been hunted to extinction two centuries earlier, the officers of the original Enterprise went back in time to the late 20th century. Two whales were brought back to the 23rd century. The probe communicated with the whales and left Earth, restoring power to all stations and vehicles it had rendered powerless. No subsequent contact with the probe or its creators has occurred. "I hope this information is sufficient, sir," said Data. "More than sufficient, Data. Thank you. Mister Worf, have all stations reported ready yet?" asked Riker. "Yes, Commander. There is no measurable effect of the Enterprise's destruction and reassembly." "Then we're almost ready. Riker to Sickbay," he said, tapping his combadge. "Has the Captain's condition changed?" "Pulaski here. I'm sorry, Commander. His lifesigns remain strong but he's still comatose. I will notify you of any changes, though." "Thank you, Doctor. Riker out. "Bridge to LaForge. We're ready to go, Geordi. Can you transfer Engineering control to the Bridge and join us up here?" "I'm on my way. I don't trust Q with the Enterprise and I'd like to be where I can see him, not that it matters with someone of his raw power," said Geordi. "I'm sure everyone shares your sentiments, Geordi. Riker out. "Mister Crusher, what's the problem?" asked Riker. Wes had been involved in a whispered discussion with Data for several minutes. "It's nothing, Commander. I'm just nervous about letting Q try something as tricky as time travel with the Enterprise," said Wesley. "There's nothing we could do about it even if we didn't want Q to send us back through time. He's just too strong. Besides we have no choice. The survival of the Federation rests with us. The outcome of this mission determines the future of the galaxy," explained Riker. "Deanna, what feelings do you get from the crew? How do they feel about this mission?" Riker had told the crew what they were doing and why and now wondered if he had made the right decision. "The crew are fearful of such a great undertaking, but that is understandable. They have confidence in the Bridge personnel and in them- selves," said the ship's counselor. "In that case, I guess we can call --" There was a flash of light and everyone on the Bridge finished Riker's sentence for him: "Q!" "Always punctual, at least when it suits me. Now, shall we begin? Very well. I have modified the warp nacelles to facilitate time travel. "Don't worry, Mr. LaForge," said Q, anticipating the Chief Engineer's protest, "they will function normally as long as you follow my instructions. Listen carefully." With a flash, a large toggle switch appeared in the center of Worf's control board. "I'll explain it so that even you can understand it, Klingon." A growl emanated from deep within Worf's throat. "In order to travel through time, the Enterprise must achieve Warp 8.8. Then simply pull the switch back to travel back- wards through time. You will automatically stop somewhere near the middle of the 23rd century. Once you have captured the creature in a tractor beam, simply accelerate to Warp 8.8 and push the switch forward to return to the present. "And now I bid you adieu." So saying, Q vanished. "Let's get started, people. Geordi, Data, gradually bring our speed up to Warp 8.8. Worf, pull the switch on my signal. Mister Crusher, plot a course to the creatures' most probable location, using 23rd century starcharts." "Mister Worf, shipwide communications. This is First Officer William T. Riker speaking for Captain Jean-Luc Picard. We are about to attempt time travel. Hang on, I don't have to tell you how dangerous this is. Riker out." "Mister Data, what's our speed?" asked Riker. "Warp 4.5 and increasing." "Commander, I don't know if the tractor beam can handle the stress of moving something at Warp 8.8. It could overload or rip the Enterprise apart," worried Geordi. "We'll worry about that when we get that far. Mister Data, our speed?" "Warp 7 and accelerating," replied Data. "Keep me informed in one-tenth Warp intervals once we reach Warp 8," said Riker. "Warp 8 ... Warp 8.1 ... Warp 8.2 ... Warp 8.3 ... 8.4 ... 8.5 ... 8.6 ... 8.7 ... Warp 8.8" "Worf, the switch!" shouted Riker. Worf slammed the switch to the rear position and nothing happened, at least on board the Enterprise. Outside, however, the Enterprise shimmered amid a ball of coruscating blue lightning streaks and vanished. All Enterprise systems continued to function normally except for the chronometers, which ran backwards. "Mister Data, what's going on? I sense no change in our movement," said Riker. "Unknown, sir, but the chronometers are running backwards. Stardate 20000 and decreasing. Our velocity is constant at Warp 8.8." "Any damage to report, Mister Worf?" "None, Commander. It would appear that Q knows what he's doing. But why use technology to send us back? Why not just wave his hand or snap his fingers? I do not trust him." "I don't know, Worf. Maybe he just wants to show us how 'inferior' our technology is. Perhaps he's not truly omnipotent. Q is an enigma, we'll probably never know for sure," said Riker. "Commander Riker?" "Yes, Data, what is it?" "We are at Stardate 8053.1, traveling at one-half impulse power." "Thank you, Mister Data. Now what? Where do we go to find the creature?" "Q fed a course into the navcomp before he left. It will take us to the Vexis Corinhi system," spoke up Wes. "The star went supernova on Stardate 33071, destroying all planets in the system," added Data. "Well, unless someone has a better idea, engage course at Warp 5. Mister Data, ETA to the Corinhi system?" asked Riker. "16.7 hours at present speed." "Mister Worf, any transmissions?" "I'm picking up various subspace messages. It appears that we are nearing the edge of 23rd century Federation space. Many of the trans- missions concern an energy surge at the location where we entered this time zone. All available ships have been sent to investigate." "Specifically, what are their orders?" asked Riker. "They are under orders to investigate and return to their assigned patrol areas. It appears that tensions are escalating between the Federation and the ... Klingons?!" He shouted the last word in disbelief. "Lieutenant Worf, the peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire was not signed until 20 years before we left, or over 50 years into the future, using this time as a referent," explained Data. "I'm sorry, I had forgotten," rumbled the Klingon by way of apology. "Don't worry about it. How many ships, Worf? What classes do they represent?" asked Riker. "There are 10 ships, maybe more. Some are still beyond sensor range. Most of the ships in range are from the original Enterprise class. There are a few Reliant class vessels as well," reported Worf. "Mister Crusher, evasive action. We most avoid contact with those ships at all costs or risk changing the future." "Mister Data, call up the schematics on the main viewer. Let's see what we're up against," said Riker. The first schematic appeared on the main viewscreen almost immediately after Data reached Science Station 1 at the rear of the raised Bridge. It showed the standard top, front, and side views, with important areas marked. This particular schematic was of an Enterprise class vessel. It showed a large saucer section connected to the Engineering hull by a thin neck. The two warp engine struts jutted out at a 45 degree angle from amidships. The long warp nacelles themselves sat higher than the exposed bridge in the center of the saucer section. The nacelles seemed extremely vulnerable compared to the design of the Galaxy class starships, whose short warp nacelles were slung lower to the Engineering hull, tucked away beneath the saucer. "As you can see, Commander, these ships are vulnerable compared to us. The shields are not strong enough to defend against a sustained attack. Despite the fact that these ships have what was for this time state-of-the-art Leeding FWG-1 engines, their maximum sake speed is equivalent to our Warp 1.65," explained Data. The Enterprise class starship was replaced by a Reliant class vessel. It consisted of a saucer section with Warp nacelles slung under- neath on very short engine struts. The Bridge was on top of the saucer section. "The design is more compact. As with the Enterprise class, the impulse engines on the rear of the saucer are only slightly less vulnerable than the Bridge and Warp nacelles. Also, the photon torpedo array on the top rear of the saucer is always open to attack. As with the Enterprise class, this design has a top speed of Warp 1.65, in terms of our UltraWarp capabilities." "Avoiding these ships should not be difficult," finished Data. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Worf, are there any ships following us?" "Yes, Commander," Worf answered as Data returned to his station. "Two of the ships have remained at the point of our arrival, leaving eight to trail us and more are closing on opposite headings." "You mean there are ships coming out of Klingon territory?" "At least one. Others are closing on courses tangential to the Klingon-Federation Neutral Zone." "Mister Crusher, initiate a spiral course. Evasion is our top priority. Mister Data, what is our present speed?" "Warp 2, sir, due to the stresses involved in our tight spiral course." After a while, Riker said, "Ensign Crusher, change course. Come up through the center of our spiral. Warp 6. Mister Worf, are any ships persisting?" "Yes, Commander. The ships are relaying information between themselves. As long as one ship knows where we are, they will all continue to follow us." "All right then. Geordi, can the engines handle a full 180' turn at Warp 6?" "Based on the tests we've run, the Enterprise is in peak operating condition. No faults in any systems, including Warp drive. Reduce speed to Warp 3, just in case there's some hidden defects we haven't discovered yet." "Got it, Geordi. You heard him, Mister Crusher, reduce speed to Warp 3 and initiate a 180' turn. Bring our speed up to Warp 6 again as soon as possible. Mister Data, where will our pursuers expect to meet us?" "Logic would indicate that we should alter course mid-way down the spiral. They will converge there." "When we reach 25% of the way down the spiral, put us back on our original course to the Corinhi system, Mister Crusher." "Aye, Commander." The Enterprise lurched slightly as the inertial dampers strove to absorb the shock of a 90' turn at Warp 6. "Mister Worf, any pursuers now?" "Not exactly. No pursuers but there is still a ship coming in our general direction from out of Klingon space." "Can you identify whose side it's on, Klingon or Federation? Any name you can put to it?" asked Riker. "It's undoubtedly Federation, an Enterprise class vessel. Still waiting for the computer to decode identification beacon." After a pause, Worf continued, "Commander, I now have the name and registry of the approaching vessel. Registry: NCC - 1701. It is the ... Enterprise." Expressions of surprise circulated around the Bridge. "Mister Data, how long until they are in visual range if we drop out of Warp now?" "Forty-five minutes, Commander." Uncharacteristically, Data kept it at that, fighting his urge to be more precise. For some reason the humans seemed to prefer the inaccuracy of round numbers. "Ensign Crusher, one-quarter impulse. Data, I want all pertinent details concerning the original Enterprise and her present complement of officers." "Aye, Commander. I will begin immediately." Data left his station at Ops to walk to the Research station at the rear of the Bridge. He was intrigued at the possibility of meeting the crew of the Enterprise. The ship was the most famous in Starfleet history and had spawned a whole series of ships with her name. Something must have made the original Enterprise special and he was determined to find out what it was. After Commander Riker informed the crew of the situation, a silence fell over the Bridge as each member of the Bridge crew contemplated their upcoming contact with the Enterprise. After thirty minutes had expired, Data reported that he had finished his research and was ready to report his findings. "Proceed, Mister Data," said Riker. "This Enterprise was refit circa Stardate 7500. All her systems were updated and her hull redesigned. She successfully dealt with V'GER's attack on Earth and was assigned to another 5-year mission. Afterwards, she became a training vessel for Starfleet Academy cadets. On one such training voyage, the Enterprise was forced to battle the evil 20th century madman, Khan Noonian Singh. Khan threatened Starfleet with the Genesis device, the details of which are still classified. During this mission, the Vulcan First Officer, Spock, was killed saving the Enterprise from the detonation of the Genesis device, but not before passing his katra on to the ship's doctor. When trying to rescue the First Officer's body, the captain of the Enterprise was forced to initiate the self-destruct sequence to keep her from being captured by the Klingons." This brought a low growl from Worf. "We are currently within the time period of the Enterprise's 5-year mission, immediately preceding their encounter with Khan." "What's the Captain's name, Data?" inquired Riker. "Jean-Luc Picard," answered the android, giving Riker a quizzical look. This seemed to lighten the mood on the Bridge, eliciting smiles and chuckles from nearly everyone. "No, Data," said Geordi. "Who was the Captain of this eras Enterprise?" "Ah ... James Tiberius Kirk." "Kirk ... Kirk ... That name sounds familiar," said Riker. "I remember now. He beat the Kobayashi Maru simulation at the Academy. Wasn't it also his distinctive style of leading away teams that caused Starfleet to dissuade all starship captains from leading away teams into dangerous or questionable situations? Something about a risk to the chain of command and a loss of Starfleet security if anything happened to him." "Affirmative, Commander. Although I must say that it still takes a considerable amount of persuasion for captains to adhere to Starfleet's directive. Many of them prefer to be on-site during away team missions," added Data. "Mister Data, I thank you for your insights. Lieutenant Worf, range of the Enterprise." "Still beyond visual range but closing rapidly," replied the Klingon. "Thank you, Worf." "Due to the state of Federation/Klingon relations, when we communicate with the Enterprise from this time, you shouldn't be on the Bridge, Worf. I'm sorry," said Riker. "I understand, Commander. I wouldn't want to jeopardize the mission," said Worf. "Worf, take Mister Data with you. The 23rd century isn't ready for an android on a starship. Call for replacements before you go. Best personnel in your department. You, too, Worf," ordered Riker. "Aye, Commander. Ensign Gawron is on his way." "My replacement is coming, as well, sir. Ensign Harris is the most promising member of the Ops department," reported Data. "Riker to Sickbay. How is the Captain?" "Pulaski here. He has come out of his coma but he's still unconscious." "That's good to news. At least his condition has improved somewhat. Keep us informed. Bridge out." As the Turbolift doors opened to admit Worf and Data, out walked Ensign Christopher Gawron. He was tall, a little over six feet in height, and had average length, wavy brown hair. He had the light complexion of the Northeastern United States of Old Earth. He went immediately to Worf's station and stood at attention, awaiting his orders. "Ensign Gawron, have you been briefed on the details of this mission?" asked Riker. "Yes, sir. And I must say that it is a dream come true. I am something of an expert on the exploits of the original Enterprise. But to finally meet Captain James T. Kirk --" "Try to curb your enthusiasm, Ensign. We'll try to keep all communications to a minimum. Just try to prove that we are no harm to the Federation and complete our mission." "Aye, sir. Commander, the Enterprise has dropped out of Warp and is closing on impulse power, shields raised," reported Gawron. "Raise our shields, too, and go to yellow alert. Geordi, better get down to Engineering, just in case." "Aye, sir." And Geordi LaForge started toward the Turbolift just as the doors opened to allow Ensign Margaret Harris onto the Bridge. "Sir," started Ensign Gawron. Riker acknowledged him and he continued, "The Enterprise is within visual range." "On screen," said Riker. As Ensign Harris took her seat, the view- screen lit up to show the cutting edge of Starfleet technology at that time: A flat saucer section with a raised Bridge on top, two Warp nacelles rising above the saucer, held up by engine struts projecting from the top of the Engineering hull at 75 degrees above the horizontal. The Enterprise gleamed a brilliant white, reflecting the light from distant stars. The navigational deflector glowed a bright, light blue. It truly looked the part of the flagship of Starfleet. "Ensign Harris, I assume that you know what this is all about," said Riker. "Yes, sir. We have gone into the Federation's past to capture a creature that will allow us to stop the Xin warships. After trying to avoid all contact with vessels from this era, we are slowing to confront the original Enterprise, in order to show our non-hostility." As she spoke, she unconsciously played with her long, curly brown hair. She was of average height for an Earth woman and looked like she came from the same area of Earth as Ensign Gawron. "Very good. I think Data made a good choice. Mister Gawron, any communications from the Enterprise?" "None yet, Commander Riker," he replied. "Sickbay to Bridge. Pulaski here." "Riker here. Go ahead, Doctor." "Commander, the Captain has just regained consciousness and wants to know why we're under a yellow alert. Shall I tell him? He's very insistent," queried the ship's Chief Medical Officer. "Do you think it's wise? One of his dreams has been to speak with the crew of the original Enterprise and it could come as a shock that we are in a situation where that is required," replied the First Officer. "You're right, Will. He's in no shape for such a shock. I'll give him a sedative, just to force him to get his rest. Pulaski out." "Sir, the Enterprise is hailing us," reported Ensign Gawron. "On screen." On the viewscreen appeared a boyish face, made older by deep lines of stress, topped by close- cropped brown hair. He was dressed in the old style uniform of a Starfleet admiral. "This is Admiral James T. Kirk commanding the United Starship Enterprise. Intruder, please identify yourself within five minutes or we will open fire with all weapons."