Subject: Trek book chapter 5 Here it is... at long last... it's ... MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING

From: geiger@canisius.UUCP (Doug Geiger) Subject: Trek book chapter 5 Here it is... at long last... it's ... MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS! Just kidding... actually, it's my book, part number 5. Before I append the book, I'd just like to take this time to thank all the caring individuals (and all the rest of you #B-) who took time out to comment on the book. It's up to the middle of Chapter 11, now, and I should be writing more tomorrow (mega-backups you know). It's either that, or work on my LISP or ASSEMBLER projects. Anyway, here it is... (C) 1991 - Doug Geiger Chapter 5 Amused expressions made the rounds of the Bridge as Riker ordered "Screen off." "Is he serious? Our shields can absorb all the power he's got and still operate at peak efficiency," said Ensign Harris. "I don't know, Ensign. Deanna, any impressions?" "Commander, I sense that he is serious. Admiral Kirk sees us as a threat that he must deal with," replied the Counselor. "Excuse me, sir, may I say something?" "Is it relevant, Mister Gawron?" "I think so, Commander. About this time, the Federation experienced a series of border raids. Many people blamed the Klingons and Romulans but nothing was ever proven. Starfleet's main computer was even broken into once and some information about Starship design stolen. Captain Kirk may think that we are actually a Klingon or Romulan attempt at a Federation Starship." "Thank you, Ensign. Now all we have to do is prove that we are members of the Federation. Hmm ... Ensign Gawron, I've got a job for you. Get down to Holodeck 3 and program it for a 23rd century Starship Bridge. Better make it one grade higher than this time's Enterprise, just to be convincing." "Aye, sir, I'm on my way," said Gawron, running to the Turbolift. "Not so fast, Chris. Ensign Harris, you go with him. Use the replicators to make appropriate uniforms for all members of the Bridge Crew. Hurry or Kirk may call for reinforcements." "Yes, sir. I'll model them after Admiral Kirk's," she said, swinging her Ops console out of the way. She walked up the ramp and left the Bridge with Ensign Gawron. "Mister Crusher, have you had any luck in your experiments to export Holodeck matter into the external environment?" "Uh, yeah. Well, sort of. I can produce holograms outside of the Holodeck, but they have no substance," answered the Helmsman hesitantly. "Could you channel the images through shield control and use them as a sort of cloaking device?" "Probably, Commander," said Wes. "Get on it now. Use Holodeck 1 and get Geordi to help you. Move it." Wes left the Bridge. "Ensign Ferrar, summon the replacement Bridge Crew up here. You remain here as well," Riker ordered Ensign Gawron's replacement. "Okay, Deanna, down to Holodeck 3." The Counselor and First Officer entered the Turbolift and went down to Holodeck 3, where they joined the rest of the Bridge Crew, already in their 23rd century uniforms. Riker and Deanna accepted their uniforms from Ensign Harris and entered the changing room. They soon emerged, Riker as a Captain and Deanna as a Science Officer. Riker ran down the corridor to where Wes and Geordi were working at the wall panel outside Holodeck 1. "Commander, I was just about to contact you," said Geordi. "We need to know what design to use for our shields. What should we turn the Enterprise into?" "Change us into the same configuration as the Hood from our time, hull registry NQ - 3000. Make sure you center the 'Bridge' on Holodeck 3." "Aye, sir. But NQ?" asked Geordi with a puzzled frown. "He is the reason that we're here, after all," Riker said as he turned and jogged back to Holodeck 3. "Well, now we just need a name," said Geordi. "I have an idea, Geordi, from my Ancient Earth history class," said Wes. They set to work. In the meantime, the others had taken their places. Riker turned his chair in Ensign Gawron's direction. "Good job, Chris. Only one thing left to do. Link Communications from here to the real Bridge. It must appear that this is a fully functioning Bridge." "Way ahead of you, Commander, uh, I mean Captain. The computer will mirror the main view- screen on this viewscreen. All communications will appear to originate from here. In addition, there is a hole in your armrest to accommodate your combadge so that you can talk intraship normally." "I hope you're right because we're out of time. Mister Crusher, Geordi, are you ready?" Riker asked, tapping the combadge in his chair arm. "Yes, Commander, just finished," they answered. "Will your illusion interfere with the transporters in any way?" asked Riker. "No, sir," answered Wes, "it's just a sophisticated light show." "Then on my signal: 'Lower shields', be ready with your illusion. Riker out." "Aye, sir." "Captain, we are being hailed again," reported Ensign Gawron. "On screen." "Please identify yourself. This is your last chance," warned Admiral Kirk from the screen. "Mister Gawron, visual channels open. Admiral Kirk, this is Captain William Riker of the experimental vessel NQ-3000. Welcome back to Federation space." "I know this is somewhat unusual, but we're the good guys. Allow me to explain our presence." "By all means, proceed," allowed Kirk. "This vessel was built in secrecy because of recent security breaches. We were on a testing mission when we were ordered to meet you in case you were chased across the Neutral Zone by the Klingons. My orders are to ensure that you reach Earth in one piece, so you can begin your next assignment." "They don't look like any Federation ship I've ever seen," said a grouchy voice somewhere behind Kirk. "Quiet, Bones!" Kirk whispered over his shoulder. Turning back to the screen he said, "I'll need some proof, Captain Riker." "Certainly, Admiral. This ship utilizes a cloaking device which both shields and disguises the ship at the same time. I will now put an end to this illusion. Lower shields," Riker ordered, leaning toward his armrest. In the hall, Wesley Crusher tapped a touch sensitive wall panel. On the Enterprise, Kirk's Enterprise, the viewscreen shifted from a picture of Riker to a view of the other Enterprise, which shimmered and appeared to disintegrate. It then reformed into a 23rd century vessel of advanced design: NQ-3000, the USS Houdini. "Isn't that amazing, Doctor? I had no idea that Starfleet technology had advanced that far." "Jim, I'm still not convinced that we were talking to a Federation starship. There have been no clues as to where this ship has come from and no evidence that shields can be used as they suggest. Scotty could have done that already if it was possible. And why did the markings on her hull read NCC-1701-D, USS ENTERPRISE? I don't like this, Jim." "Doctor, we have been absent from Earth for quite awhile, in which time there may have been a great increase in the sophistication of Starfleet technology. As to your question, however, I do not possess enough data to speculate," said Spock from his science station. "A ruse, perhaps, to scare off any foes it might encounter," spoke up Sulu. "Many animals employ the same idea." "Hmm ... Maybe, but I think we'd better see for ourselves. Uhura, get me Captain Riker." "Aye, sir. On the screen." "Captain Riker, that display was impressive, but forgive me if I'm still doubtful of your authenticity. May I beam over with a small party to tour the ship?" "Of course, Admiral Kirk," said Riker's image. "I'll relay the coordinates of our Bridge to your Transporter Room. Riker out." The viewscreen reverted to a dark star- field, at it's center hung the Enterprise, reflecting the light of a million stars. Ensign Harris looked up in horror. "They can't beam through our shields. We can't even do that. They'll be scattered all over this sector of space!" "Calm down, Ensign. Riker to LaForge. Geordi, monitor the other ship's power levels. When they're ready to beam over, drop our cloaking field momentarily, just enough for them to slip through. Can you handle that?" "Got it, Commander," came Geordi's voice from the arm of Riker's chair. "No trouble at all." "Jim, you're not seriously thinking about going over there, are you?" asked Doctor McCoy, incredulously. "We must be sure that they are non-hostile and that they really are members of the Federation," Spock said impassively. "Are you out of your Vulcan mind, Spock. We're still here, aren't we. If their power levels were as high as you said, they could have blasted us out of the sky by now. Our continued existence is proof enough that they're non-hostile. Why does it matter whether or not they're Federation?" asked McCoy irritably. "Because, Doctor, if they are non-Federation, they still occupy a Starfleet vessel. Either they are from Starfleet, there is a security leak some- where from which they obtained starship plans, or they have stolen a Federation starship." "As none are reported missing, we can eliminate this last possibility." "But, Spock, --" began McCoy. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, please," interrupted Kirk. "We can settle this later. For now, let's get down to the Transporter Room. Come on, Spock. Coming, Doctor?" "Of course, Captain. I have to make sure you don't break your fool neck in some adolescent stunt while trying to save the universe singlehanded," said the Doctor grumpily as he, Kirk, and Spock entered the lift. The Doctor's grumblings could still be heard for a few seconds after he had left the Bridge. "Do you think that's such a good idea, Commander? I mean, we can't let them out of here to see the rest of the Enterprise," objected Ensign Harris. "On the contrary, Ensign. That's exactly what we're going to do." Everyone on the 'Bridge' looked at Riker, shocked. They awaited his explanation. "All the other Holodecks except Holodeck 1 have been programmed to be various areas of the ship. We can use the intraship transporters to move from Holodeck to Holodeck. There should be no problem as long as no one tries to enter the Holodeck that we're in at any given moment. If we had refused to let them beam over, they would have become suspicious. By giving them a guided tour, we'll allay those suspicions." "Mister Gawron, make sure you send the correct 'Bridge' coordinates. It wouldn't do for the most famous captain in Starfleet to end up in a wall or on the real Bridge," warned Riker. "Better make sure that you drop our shields long enough to beam them over. Cut it as close as possible to avoid any problems. Better jam their sensors just in case." "I verified the coordinates by computer before I sent them. They will arrive in the area in front of the command chair. Our computer is tied in to their transporter and will drop shields for a split-second during transport and block their sensors," reassured Gawron. No sooner had he said that, than three columns of light appeared and coalesced into the forms of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. "Welcome, Captain, Mister Spock, Doctor." Riker shook hands and gave the Vulcan salute where applicable. "I'd like you to meet my Bridge Crew. Science Officer Deanna Troi, Communications Officer Lieutenant Christopher Gawron, Helmsman Lieutenant Margaret Harris, and Navigator Lieutenant David Callari." Riker pointed to each in turn. Fortunately, he had had the foresight to temporarily promote the members of the Bridge Crew. Captain Kirk would have been skeptical of a Bridge full of ensigns. David Callari was filling in for Wes, who was monitoring his cloaking device. Kirk and Spock were looking around the Bridge attentively, McCoy was looking bored. "Doctor McCoy, would you like to see our Sickbay?" asked Riker. "I'd rather see my own Sickbay right now, but as long as I'm here, why not?" Riker surreptitiously hit his combadge and said, "Doctor Pulaski, teleport to the Bridge immediately." "Aye, Captain, I'm on my way." Doctor Pulaski shimmered into existence next to Riker's command chair. "How may I be of assistance?" "Please beam over to Sickbay with Doctor McCoy and give him a guided tour," said Riker. "Sure thing, Captain. Come along, Doctor. We're off to Sickbay," she said as McCoy moved to stand next to her. "What do you mean 'beam over to Sickbay?' What ever happened to walking?" McCoy asked hesitantly. "We use transporters to travel throughout the ship. It's much faster that way and cuts down on the need for turbolifts so we can have more room for equipment," answered Pulaski. McCoy had grown noticeably paler by the time the transporter took effect. They both dematerialized into their component atoms, to be reconstituted in the bogus Sickbay located in Holodeck 4. By now, Kirk and Spock had completed their tour of the Bridge. "Well, gentlemen," said Riker, "are you ready to see the rest of my ship?" "By all means, Captain, lead the way," said Kirk, moving toward what appeared to be a Turbolift, but was actually the port side head. "Wait, Captain. We don't use Turbolifts to get around any more. As Doctor Pulaski said, we use intraship transporters. It's much more efficient than walking. Mister Gawron, if you'd please send us to Engineering." "Aye, sir," said Gawron, his hands flying over his control panel. Most of it was for show. All he did that mattered was to send a pre-recorded message to Transporter Chief O'Brien that told him what to do. Riker, Kirk, and Spock became columns of light and faded to nothingness as they were beamed to Holodeck 5 to see the fictional Warp Intermix Chamber. After a thorough tour of 'Engineering,' they went to see the Rec Deck, Computer Center, Mess Hall, Conservatory, Gym, and Weapons Control Room. Finally, they went to Sickbay to pick up Doctor McCoy. The four of them beamed back to the Bridge, leaving Doctor Pulaski in Sickbay. "Well, Captain, are you satisfied that we are who we say we are?" "Definitely, Captain Riker. I'm sorry I ever doubted you," replied Kirk. "Any problems, gentlemen?" "Yeah, Jim. I'm a Doctor, not a ping-pong ball. I'm tired of being bounced all over the place by that transporter beam. Let's just get back to the Enterprise and go home." "As you wish, Doctor. Well, it appears that we must bid you farewell, Captain Riker. I hope we meet again soon." "Me too, Captain Kirk, me too. Goodbye, Captain, Commander Spock, Doctor McCoy." The three Enterprise senior officers dematerialized on Kirk's command to Scotty: "Three to beam up." "Well, that's that. Computer, discontinue programs in all Holodecks except Holodeck 1," ordered Riker. The Bridge disappeared to be replaced by a small room with a yellow grid etched into the ebony walls. "Come on, everyone, back to the Bridge." All of the crewmembers left through the door in the far wall. The Holodeck lights went out as the doors closed behind Riker, the last person to leave. As everyone else went to the Turbolift, Riker walked the other way to congratulate Wes and Geordi who still stood outside Holodeck 1. "Good work, gentlemen. Your illusion appeared to be very convincing. May I ask just what this ship looked like?" "See for yourself, Commander," said Geordi. "What do you mean 'see for yourself'? How can I see for myself? Our cloaking device was just a computer generated image, wasn't it?" "Not exactly, sir. We needed a physical model to project onto the outer hull of the Enterprise. That's why I've been using the Holodeck as the basis for my experiments," explained Wes. "What we've done is in effect to turn the Holodeck inside-out. Rather than modeling something from the outside world in the Holodeck, we've projected something from the Holodeck into the outside world. We still have the image in the Holodeck. Come on in," urged Geordi. The doors slid open and Wes, Geordi, and Riker entered Holodeck 1. They appeared to be walking on nothingness. The walls, ceiling, and floor had become starfields, stretching away to infinity. As the door slid closed behind them with a faint grinding sound, the illusion became complete, if a little disorienting. Directly ahead of the trio hung a long, low starship. It had an almost flat saucer with immense impulse engines at the rear. A short neck connected the saucer to a long, graceful secondary hull. The warp nacelles, almost double the length of the secondary hull, rose just above the top of the saucer. They were connected to the top of the engineering section by narrow, right-angled warp engine struts. Riker walked around the ship and whistled appreciatively. "I'm impressed. I just have one question: What would have happened if we needed to fire phasers or photon torpedos?" "No problem, Commander," answered Wes. "We lined up the forward torpedo tubes on the Houdini with those on the Enterprise. We lined up the phaser banks on both ships as closely as possible, too. Watch." "Computer," he said, raising his voice. "Superimpose Galaxy class Enterprise onto existing image of the Houdini." The light blue image of the Enterprise shimmered into existence around the Houdini. The Enterprise's saucer section dwarfed the Houdini's. The bridge of the Houdini was located in the center of the Enterprise's saucer. As Wes had said, the photon torpedo tubes lined up, as did many of the phaser banks. The ships were the same length, but the Enterprise was much wider, yet still the more graceful of the two. After studying the ships for awhile, Riker said, "Come on you two, we've got a job to do." As the doors shut behind them, the Holodeck went dark. Enjoy, and keep those reviews acomin'. PS I'll probably repost the whole thing when (if) I ever get done with it...