Star Trek: Maneuvers

Season 1, Episode 1

"Red Alert"

2259

Prime Reality

"When the USS Devour is ordered to Vulcan to retrieve a Federation traitor, Captain Steven York is given orders to "disappear" him on the way back to Earth. Young Commander James T. Kirk discovers the plans and sets in motion a plot to stop York and the Devour from their deceitful mission, with a stance that the man has a right to trial."

Dramatis personae:Captain Steven York (Human Male) - The commander of the USS Devour, a ship created by Starfleet specifically for tactical and combat reasons. Brave, but action-prone, Captain York is a serious threat to the safety of his crew and ship. Suffering with alcoholism, he hides his addiction from the crew, struggling to leave behind past sorrows suffered during his service.

Commander James T. Kirk (Human Male) - Fresh off his assignment aboard the USS Farragut, Commander Kirk is temporarily assigned to the Devour, serving as First Officer to Captain York, replacing a man who was killed-in-action. However, a day prior to the Devour's mission, Kirk has discovered the true nature of the ship and intends to prevent their inhumane missions from being carried out.

Lieutenant Commander Sterla Jok (Human Female) - A beautiful and kind woman, Sterla stands behind York in his mission due to her love for him, but when she meets Jim Kirk, she begins to perceive York as unwise in his evil actions.

Lieutenant Carol Marcus (Human Female) - A doctor serving aboard the Devour on scientific purposes, she is best friends with Sterla Jok, having grown up together back on Earth.

Lieutenant Brent Royce (Vulcan Male) - The engineer aboard the Devour. As a Vulcan, he puts logic first and becomes a quick irritation for Kirk. He knows of the Devour's mission and has accepted his role, but is hesitant at the motivations behind it.

Admiral Jonathan Perry (Human Male) - The brains behind the conception of the Devour. Tired of Starfleet's process of completing missions, he decides that a brutal and hostile action towards alien species is the better path of doing things.

Lieutenant Henry Pratt (Human Male) - The helmsman aboard the Devour. A loyal and trusted friend of Captain York, he is one of the few officers with full knowledge of the Devour's mission and has come to terms with the task appointed to them.

Bridge

USS Devour, Earth Orbit - 2259

Various men and women in uniform walk amongst the quiet bridge. Sounds of a Starfleet vessel rip through the silence of the bridge as the turbolift doors open. Out steps a tall and muscular man, clean shaven with sideburns, his hair is neatly brushed back and filled with a brownish-red coloring. Around the wrists of his uniform, his rank is clearly shown for all the crew to see. He is Steven York, the Captain and commander of the ship, the USS Devour, a ship with an important and unusual mission, to seek out and eliminate enemies of Starfleet.

Under the guise of a normal Federation vessel, the Devour has been specifically created for destruction, a creation devised by the mind of Admiral Jonathan Perry, a man fed up with the basic structure and format of missions within Starfleet. With a taste for war and violence, his morality regarding the Devour's existence is next to none.

"Captain's log, Stardate 2259.67. To begin, it should be noted that I hear tell of Starfleet discussing whether or not to change our format of Stardates. Consider rumor until further notice. The Devour is in orbit above the Earth, waiting to beam aboard three news officers, Lieutenant Carol Marcus; a young scientist with great interest in the studies that could come from our missions, Lieutenant Commander Sterla Jok; a friend of Marcus and of great personal meaning to myself...and lastly, James Kirk, previously of the USS Farragut. I was personally told of this man's bravery by the former executive officer of the Farragut and have great faith that Kirk will be a useful addition to our missions." - Captain Steven York, USS Devour, Commanding

Captain York takes his seat in the command chair as the turbolift doors once again open. Arriving on the bridge are the three new officers, standing boldly and ready. York turns his head and first notices Marcus, a beautiful blond woman, sharing a smile with Kirk, a youthful officer and womanizer. Hesitantly, York turns his gaze to Jok, a woman of unquestioning beauty, as he stands from his chair.

He walks to the three officers and extends his hand to each of them in order. Accepting the offer, the three graciously shake his hand and stand ready as he looks them over.

"A fine bunch of officers," York breaks the silence. He looks at Jok. "Nothing so fine as the sight of brave new souls ready to embark on brave new missions." Glancing over to the Captain, Kirk notices as York smiles at Jok. Kirk looks away as York begins to take his gave away from Jok and look the others over, once more.

"Thank you, sir," the three are quick to share their appreciation.

"The best of luck to you," York prepares to give his first order to the young officers. He stands tall and boldly, proud of his new officers. "Positions."

The three quickly make themselves ready at their posts. Executing each move with grace and precision, speed and accuracy. Quite up to the task, an honorable choice in officers, York thought. These were fine young people, the next generation of Starfleet. The thought suddenly crossed his mind, the Devour was meant for the least honorable portion of Starfleet. Death and war.

York was quite comfortable with the thought of taking himself into battle, even the thought of bringing Marcus and Kirk to their deaths, but not Jok. He once loved Jok, deeply and passionately. Duty tore them apart, but seeing her again rekindled his old feelings for her. He was not ready to lead her to her death. York paced himself as he approached his chair and took a seat.

He looked onward at the view-screen, out into space. "Set a course for Vulcan," he let out the command to leave. "Maximum warp. Punch it."

In front of him, his helmsman, Henry Pratt, a trusted and loyal officer, set the course and operated his controls. The ship quickly lept to warp speed, blasting into the unknown. Their mission had begun.