Title: Return To Glory
Author: Stephen Ratliff (sratliff@runet.edu)
Series: Marrissa Stories
Parts: REP 1/1
Rating: [G]
Codes:
Summary: The Klingons decide to enter the last Romulan War, and Marrissa
is sent to convince them to come in on the Federation side. Meanwhile,
there is a spy on the Enterprise
Return to Glory
A Marrissa Story
By Stephen Ratliff
Start date: Jan 3, 1996
Completion date: July 13, 1998
Prologue
Once Marrissa Picard became Commanding Admiral Star Fleet, the
Last Romulan War moved into a stage of even advantages. Generally
such times are the least likely times for others to chose sides. But
even when all things are equal, the potential for something or someone
to chose sides and tip the balance remains.
For the Last Romulan War, it was the Klingons. The Klingons
don't often stay out of wars, this one was no different. The question
was which side would they come in on. While the Klingons had been
friendly with the Federation for quite some time, there was a belief
that there was too much contact between the two and something counter
balance that was needed. That belief made the chances of the
Federation receiving aid from the Klingon Empire harder.
But the Romulan Star Empire had an even lesser chance of aid.
Being historical enemies to the Klingons did not bode well for the
Romulans. That had been overcome before though, the relationship with
the house of Duras being a prime example.
Whichever side the Klingons joined would win. That was a near
certainty. It only remained to see which side would return the
Klingons to the glory of battle.
Professor John P. Hereomise III
Chair, Department of History,
University of Essex.
Chapter One
He once was known as Kern, son of Mog. Now he was leader of the
Klingon High Council. It was a quark of fate that he was chosen to
lead the Empire some eight years before. Doctor Bashir had tried to
wipe his memories so he could live with honor after the House of Mog
was thrown out of the Empire. It had worked, for a while. Then when
Marrissa Picard had come to arbitrate the succession after the
unexpected death of Gowron, he'd remembered. It was another of the
Klingon body's famous redundancies.
He'd brought his brother's house back into the Empire again.
Worf's valor in battle had helped. As for Alexander, well as a
warrior he was a failure, as a good luck charm he'd had better luck,
and as a diplomat, well he had the best record of any Klingon
Ambassador. Today, however, would be different. Kern could not speak
for his family today, well except to show pictures of his new
grandniece. That was understandable, and since Kern had no child of
his own, and was of an age to be a grandparent, this was expected,
even among Klingon warriors. Sit a group of old Klingon warriors in a
room and watch the pictures of there hopeful little warrior
grandchildren come out. When Kern was younger, he'd thought it was
disgusting behavior for a warrior to be fawning over pictures of
cutely dressed young children.
An aid interrupted his reminiscing, "Chancellor Kern, the Council
is waiting."
He grunted his acknowledgment and turned toward the council
chambers. Today was the day the representatives of the Romulans and
the Federation would arrive. Soon the Empire would war with one of
them along side the other. He hoped he would not have to fight his
brother, or attack little Alexis Rozhenko's home.
Four days earlier
Captain Jay Gordon, was not in the best mood. He'd just heard
that his wife was planning to go on another dangerous mission. She
was in command of Star Fleet. She wasn't supposed to be running into
danger. As he entered his wife's ready room, she looked up from her
seat. Normally Marrrissa would have gotten up when he entered like
this and pace while trying to explain herself. Normally she wasn't
eight and a half months pregnant.
"You are not running off on some foolish mission to the Klingon
Empire," he said, standing in front of his wife's desk, his hands
braced on its front edge.
"Oh," Marrissa said, sorting out the PADDs on her desk.
"You are commanding Star Fleet," Jay responded. "You can't be
running around tending to every little detail."
"The High Council's debate on which side they will enter the war
on is hardly a little detail," Marrissa replied. "They've got the
third largest fleet in the Quadrant. Their entry into the war could
tip the balance either way."
"Surely you can send someone else," Jay stated.
"They're aren't that many people in the fleet that command
respect with Klingons," Marrissa began. "My father, who is still
recovering from injuries; Alexander and Worf don't have enough rank to
make an impression; and Rear Admiral Zaxdorn who spent the last four
year heading our joint training program died yesterday."
"Send Alex, he's more available than you are," Jay replied.
"You're due in two weeks."
"I though this was your professional objections," Marrissa said,
easing herself up from her chair. She walked around the desk to stand
beside her husband. "I have to do this Jay. This is one case where
no one else can do it for me."
"I know," Jay responded, knowing from her bearing that this was a
lost cause and now attempting to reduce the danger. "I just hate to
see you go off into trouble." He embraced his wife, pulling her close
as her belly would allow.
"Who says you aren't coming with me?" Marrissa returned.
"Well we can't afford to take a Nova Class starship off the line.
I've seen the reports," Jay said.
"And that keeps you from joining me?"
"Well someone has to command the Enterprise. Clara certainly
can't. Alexis hasn't let her sleep since she was born last week. And
Alex isn't in much better shape."
"I've got that taken care of," Marrissa smiled.
Deep in Engineering, down under the port plasma transfer conduit,
a terminal was being used, as it never had been intended to. Its user
tapped a long string of codes, and information flowed across the
screen towards a destination that no crewmember should have sent
anything other than phaser bolts.
Jacqueline Marie Picard was working at the computer terminal in
the room she shared with her sister's sister-in-law. She'd
technically been off shift for hours, but that never stopped her from
improving the Enterprise Computer's defenses.
It was a good thing the Computer Security Officer had been at
work. If she hadn't been, the security breach might not have been
caught. As Jackie watched and recorded, the intruder patched up all
the evidence that they had been into the classified data. She'd
initiated a trace the moment she'd discovered it, but it wasn't until
two minutes after the hacker logged off that she'd figured out where
they had been working.
A call to Lieutenant Sachs had sent a security team to
investigate, but Jackie knew it was too late. It only remained for
her to inform the Captain. Her big sister was not going to like this.
And it meant that Jackie would be unable to accompany her to Kronos.
Jackie had been looking forward to it for the past couple days, but
now she had something important she had to do.
Admiral Saavik Jeric entered the bridge of her new ship, her
personal bodyguard, Tillek at her side. The Bloodfire was the second
Warhawk class starship the Romulans had produced. It was just
completed, and Saavik wanted to take it right out into battle. The
Warhawk had some success already, but an encounter with the Nova and
the Yorktown had forced it to retire from the front for repairs.
Apparently, Admiral Pasek did not know when to chose his battles. He
did know when to save his own skin at least.
Saavik had studied the martial history of her enemies, especially
that of the Enterprise. She wasn't alone in doing this. The Romulan
Naval Academy had a special class in studying the tactics of the
Enterprise and all of her commanders. Saavik, however, went further.
She studied back to the naval vessels Enterprise. But it wasn't the
Enterprise that she though her counterparts should have studied. It
was the USS Constitution, a ship still moored in Boston harbor. The
sailing ship had never been defeated, as a result of sound tactics
on the part of her commanders. The key was to know what you could
safely take.
The Warhawk class was the equal to the Federation's Nova class.
So Pasek had really been asking for it when he attacked two Nova class
ships without any assistance. Two to one could be in favor of the one
every once in a while, but not when each of the two starships alone
was of equal strength to the one. Saavik didn't care if the Captains
of the two ships where of lesser quality. They'd made it to command
the best ships in the Federation's Star Fleet. They could handle
their ships better than Captains who received their posts at the
request of the Praetor; who had no real knowledge of what it took to
command; could. If she hadn't been the Praetor's youngest sister, she
wouldn't have been in this post either, but the difference was that
she could command.
The Bridge of the Bloodfire was larger than that of her last
command. In some ways it reminder her of pictures of the Federation's
Galaxy Class starship bridge. The command chair was a high-backed
chair that could face any part of the bridge. It was done in dark
green leather with thick armrests. The rest of the bridge took its
cue from that chair. The other chairs were shorter, but adorned in
the same manner. The bridge rails were green marble, and the
traditional warbird crest was inlaid by the turbolift in the same
marble.
"The Praetor and the Senate have sent me to command this vessel,"
Saavik announced. "I serve the Empire, and this vessel is mine. Is
the crew so loyal."
The bridge crew replied, "Jolan true."
"Then I will expect your loyalty until death parts us," Saavik
concluded. "Bridge Officer, our orders please."
A Commander that Saavik identified as Sanok, approached with an
ornate green marble box with a finger print lock. That alone told her
that her mission was important. Only for important missions were
orders hand delivered. She pressed her finger on the lock and it
opened to reveal a single sheet of parchment. She read it carefully.
With a sigh she ordered, "Helm, set a course for Kronos, avoiding the
Federation front. Depart when ready.
Chapter Two
The Ambassador Class Starship Osaka decelerated from warp off the
port bow of the Enterprise. She was a newer member of the class to
which the fourth Enterprise had been of, and recently upgraded at
that. She and her captain had been a very successful part of Star
Fleet's First Fleet. Marrissa observed its arrival from the
Enterprise's command chair, a seat she'd been spending less time in
lately. Running Star Fleet was taking a lot of her time.
"The Osaka's Captain has beamed aboard and is on her way to the
Bridge," Lieutenant Shayna Sachs said from her post at tactical.
"Has their been any luck tracking down our spy?" the Admiral
asked.
"No, Captain," the Security Chief replied. "I've eliminated a
lot of people, but we've still got half of Engineering as suspects."
"Well it won't be my concern for a while," Marrissa said, as an
Asian woman in Star Fleet Uniform with Captain's pips entered the
bridge from the forward turbolift.
"Captain Demora Sulu reporting as ordered, sir," the woman said,
standing at full attention.
"At ease," Marrissa replied, uncomfortable with the formality.
"Welcome aboard the Enterprise."
"Thank you, sir," Sulu said.
"Drop the formality, Commodore," Marrissa responded. "We've
known each other too long for it."
"Commodore?"
"I'm promoting you as of now," Admiral Marrissa Picard said.
"For the next two weeks you are taking my place as Captain of the
Enterprise and Commander of the First Fleet."
"Why?"
"Jay and I need to convince the Klingon High Council not to come
in on the Romulan side," Marrissa stated. "Since we can not afford to
take a Nova Class Starship off the line, we will be borrowing your
ship. Meanwhile, you'll be seeing if a change in command can sow some
confusion among the Romulan Fleet."
"Understood," Commodore Sulu replied. "What happens when they
decide?"
"If they go for the Romulans, the First, Fourth, and Fifteenth
fleets move to cover the Klingon border," Marrissa explained.
"Admiral Sisko will take over command of the Romulan side of the war
then. If the Klingons join us, as I suspect they will, the Romulans
will probably try to make an immediate plunge into Klingon space,
hoping that they will be caught unaware. I want you to come up with a
counter for that possibility."
"I'll do my best," Sulu said.
"That being done, Computer, recognize Picard, Marrissa Amber,
level Omega Five, code Pulpier Taylor David Hercules," Marrissa
ordered. "Transfer Command of the Enterprise to Commodore Demora
Sulu."
"The Enterprise NCC-1701-F is now under the command of Commodore
Demora Sulu," the Computer responded.
"Transfer command of the First Fleet to her as well," Marrissa
concluded.
"The First Fleet is now under command of Commodore Demora Sulu,"
the computer finished.
"Before you leave, perhaps an introduction of my new officers
would be in order," Demora asked.
"Excellent idea," Marrissa replied. "At Ops is your new First
Officer, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Rozhenko. Behind me at
Tactical is your Chief of Security and Second Officer, Lieutenant
Shayna Sachs. Your Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Miles O'Brien
is currently holed away in Engineering. I'd advise not calling him by
his rank though. The Chief is a little peeved at me for reactivating
his commission before he could retire as a Chief Petty Officer. The
officer trying to sneak onto the bridge from the Fighter Command
Situation Room is your Fighter Commander, Lieutenant Commander
Katherine Lochard. Alex is still looking for his sub in the Ops
position. Doctor Johnson is still busy from our last engagement, as
is Counselor Sussex."
"Understood," Demora stated. "Who will be my Exec for the First
Fleet?"
"The Captain of the Excelsior," Marrissa said a twinkle in her
eye.
"You made my Dad my XO for the Fleet?" Demora Sulu replied. "Are
you out of your mind. He'll be second guessing me all the way to
Romulus."
"So he said," Marrissa replied. "Enjoy. I'll see you in two or
three weeks. Jay should relieve you in two, but I can't guarantee
that Doctor Johnson will let me out by then."
Demora Sulu looked up at the ceiling as Admiral Marrissa Picard
exited the bridge. "Is they're anything else that I should have known
this morning?" she asked the ceiling.
"Actually, yes," Lieutenant Sachs replied. "We've got a Computer
Hacker and spy aboard."
"The Ready Room, now," Commodore Sulu said. "Have the Computer
Security Officer and the Chief Engineer report there. "You have the
bridge, Commander Rozhenko."
Lieutenant Sachs followed the Commodore into the Ready Room. The
Commodore turned once the door closed, and said. "Lieutenant, I don't
know were you learned how to be a Security Officer, but you don't
blurt out that stuff on the bridge."
Shayna Sachs straightened out and said, "Normally, I wouldn't
sir. But all of the people on the Bridge had been cleared already."
"Very well, but remember that secrecy is one of your best weapons
when dealing with spies and saboteurs," Sulu said.
"Understood, Commodore," Lieutenant Sachs responded.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal the Chief Engineer,
Miles O'Brien, and a strawberry blond haired twelve year old girl.
The years had been good to the chief. His hair was white at the
temples, but otherwise he looked like he had a fifteen years before
when he had left the Enterprise for Deep Space Nine. The girl was
saying, "I still think we should restrict access to the warp field
geometry control."
"You do that, and a fourth of my officers won't be able to do
their jobs," O'Brien said. "That's a vital control for warp field
engineers."
"All the more reason to restrict it," the girl responded.
"You must be the Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander O'Brien,"
Demora Sulu interrupted.
"Call me Chief, sir," O'Brien responded. "This is Ensign
Jacqueline Picard, our Computer Security Officer."
"Ensign Picard, pardon me for saying it, but your not exactly
what I expect in your post," Sulu responded, carefully looking at the
young officer.
"Family trait, sir," Jackie responded. "We Picards tend not to
be what people expect us to be, at least until you get to know us."
"I certainly didn't expect a child as an officer in such a
position," Demora said. "In any case, what is going on with the
hacker."
"Late last night, I was updating the security on the computer
when a hacker got into the strategic database," Jackie explained.
"They stole the planned movements for the First and Second Fleets and
transmitted them off to Romulus. I tracked down their location, and
notified Lieutenant Sachs."
"By the time my officers got there, they were gone," Sachs
continued. "Jackie and I woke up Marrissa and Jay, and began an
investigation."
"My sister also changed all the fleet movements, and suggests
that you make additional changes," Jackie finished.
"Do we still have the originals I may need them," Sulu said.
Jackie nodded. "Good, how much have you narrowed down the suspects
too."
"We've got it down to 200 officers, sir," O'Brien said.
"Interviews will probably cut that number down significantly, but that
takes time."
"And during that time, more data can be stolen," Jackie pointed
out.
"Miss Picard, can you try looking for an access pattern that may
provide us will a profile of our hacker?" the Commodore asked.
"I can try, sir," Jackie responded.
"Good," Sulu concluded. "I want that hacker found. Get any help
you need, but get them caught. Dismissed."
Admiral Saavik was going to Kronos. She'd never dealt with
Klingons before, but that didn't matter to her government. She fit
their qualifications. She was an Admiral. She was related to the
Praetor, and with those qualities, Romulan High Command believed that
her presence would convey the seriousness of the Romulan's interest.
It was a good idea but the Federation was already one upping that
message.
Klingon High Council Chambers
Stardate 61813.3
Kern was seated in the Chancellor's throne, awaiting the arrival
the Romulan and Federation representatives. He hoped they had sent
someone interesting. The last Romulan and Federation Ambassadors had
both been meek and somewhat dry. Klingons preferred fiery
negotiators.
The first person to stroll into the chambers was the Federation
Representive. Kern smiled at the blond woman whose pregnant form was
stretching the Star Fleet uniform. A blond man was at her side, a
broad sword strapped opposite his phaser. "Who comes before the
Klingon High Council?" the Chancellor challenged.
"Marrissa Amber Picard, daughter of Jean-Luc, Commanding Admiral
of Star Fleet, Captain of the Starship Enterprise," Marrissa began.
"Heir to the Planet Essex, winner of the battle of Neptune, hero of
the Seventh Fleet, and I say that any one who doesn't think that
allying with the Federation is good idea is a yellow bellied coward
who should go home crying to his mother."
"And why should we listen to someone who comes with a
babysitter," Kartog, a young member of the council sneered. "You're
just a Federation pla'tok."
"I suggest you consider withdrawing that insult," Jay said,
drawing his sword.
"Why should I?" Kartog said.
Kern watched from his seat. He really should have made sure
Emperor Kah'Less attended today. It was going to be a good show.
Jay made a quick slash in front of Kartog, and said, "Because
your pants are falling down."
Kartog looked down to discover that his pants sliding down to his
ankles. This was his first day on the council. This was not what he
dreamed about. He'd expected to be discussing battles and affairs of
state. Instead everyone was staring at his uncovered bottom.
"I challenge you to a duel," Kartog shouted, pulling up his
pants.
"Not now, we have some important manners to discuss," Jay
replied.
"Understood," Kartog said, trying to recover the remains of his
dignity.
"Where is the Romulan?" Kern asked from his throne, still amused
at the young Kartog's display.
"Here," Admiral Saavik said, entering the hall.
"And who are you?" Kern asked.
"I am Admiral Saavik Jeric," the Romulan said. "I come to
persuade the Empire to join the Romulan Star Empire in our war against
the Federation, or at least stay out of it."
"And why should we listen to you?" Kern asked.
"I am the Romulan representative," Saavik stated. "I was sent by
my brother, Praetor Selic, the leader of the Romulan Star Empire. I
think that entitles me to be heard."
"And what battles have you won," Kern asked. "What enemies have
you vanquished?"
"I defeated Admiral Yawetag of the Renegade Trakce with in a
damaged Warbird," Saavik began slowly, and uncertain. "I destroyed
the Zacdorn spypost in the Ne'vek system." She began to catch a
rhythm. "The starship Harriman met its demise against my Warbird.
The Federation's First Fleet lost at Star Forts 5, 7, and 13 to my
fleet. The Federation's Fifth Fleet was decimated after I stopped by
Starbase 4."
"Ah, so you are a warrior, not some mindless bureaucrat, like we
have come to expect from past Romulan Ambassadors," Kern said
appreciatively. "Enough of that, you must be tired from you long
journey, and even Klingon warriors know better than to keep a pregnant
woman on her feet. We'll adjourn until after lunch. Then first the
Federation then the Romulans will have a chance to present their cases
without interference of each other. Counselor Kartog, my office."
Kern descended from the dais and the meeting broke up.
Chapter Three
Marrissa was laying back on a recliner with her feet in the air.
Her husband Jay was massaging them while the two relaxed for a couple
hours. Jay's sister Jacquelyn was making lunch in the next room and
the smells of a home cooked meal drifted into the room.
"How do you think I did," Marrissa asked after some time of
silence.
"I think you wowed them as usual, Mara," Jay replied. "I don't
know why you are always so worried. You are doing the best job anyone
could."
"I try, but what happens when it's finally not enough, Jay,"
Marrissa replied. "I'm commanding Star Fleet, commanding a starship,
negotiating with Klingons, and to top it all off, I'm going to be a
mother in a couple weeks. Eventually, something will happen that I
have no control over and should have."
"Marrissa, as things are there are things you have no control
over," Jay responded. "You just have to learn to take into account
that and try not to spread yourself so thin."
"I know," Marrissa replied. "I'd really like to take some time
off, and get rid of some of these duties, but every time I think I can
do something like that, something happens. I use to have some control
of my life. Since I was ten, I knew where I was going and how I was
going to get there. Then I got there and I haven't known what I
wanted to do next since."
"And when did you meet the goal that you've been working so hard
on," Jay asked, curious.
Marrissa smiled and said, "When I married you."
Jay smiled in return, and moved to sit on the side of his wife's
recliner. "I find it hard to believe that you've done everything just
so you could marry me."
"Not all," Marrissa responded. "Since I was little I wanted to
grow up to command a starship with a handsome young first officer at
my side. We'd have many adventures and a half-dozen children. Though
if I had known how hard pregnancy was, I would have revised the last."
"So I shouldn't expect six screaming children running though our
quarters any time soon," Jay questioned, his hand on his wife's belly.
"Not unless you have them," Marrissa replied, her hand now
guiding his on her belly. "Our little Sara's active today."
"She wants out of her swimming pool," Jay joked.
"Now is not a good time," Marrissa said. "I can just see it. I'm
standing before the High Council. They're just about to announce
their decision, and my water breaks. Sara better stay in there until
after they decide."
Saavik paced in her ready room. Her boots clicking on the green
marble floor. She had to send a report back to her older bother and
didn't know what to say. The door chimed. "Who is it?" she snapped.
"Centurion Tillek," a deep baritone responded.
"Enter," she said. Centurion Tillek had been her personal
bodyguard since she was ten. The burley old man had saved her life on
more than one occasion. He was also her only confidant. As a member
of the Praetor's Guard, he was sworn to keep secret anything that his
changes did. In a climate of suspicion like that of the Romulan
Government, people did not often trust. Saavik trusted Tillek. He
knew a lot about her, and he never told anyone. He was a dying breed
on Romulus.
"Commander Sanok said you were distrait," Tillek said.
"Yes, Uncle Tillek," Saavik replied. "I was trying so hard to
act professional and keep my temper, but once the Chancellor started
asking why, I started to lose it. I was actually boasting of my
accomplishments. You're not supposed to make people feel inferior.
You have to keep your accomplishments quiet and let others discover
them."
"Little cat, you've never dealt with Klingons before have you,"
Tillek remarked. Saavik shook her head and stopped pacing. "I
thought not. Saavik, with Klingons, the boast is a good way to earn
their respect. Tell me, you were watching Admiral Picard make her
entrance. She's dealt with Klingons almost all her life. How did she
do it."
"She drew herself up straight, or as straight as she could in her
condition," Saavik described. "She walked, no she strolled into the
room like she owned it. She bellowed out her titles and
accomplishments and challenged them to disagree with her. One Council
member challenged her and her husband, and they embarrassed him by
making his pants drop."
"That must have been interesting," Tillek smiled.
"I barely contained my laughter," Saavik confirmed.
"And how did you make your entrance," Tillek asked.
"Not good," Saavik said. "I came in at a dignified pace and said
my speech in a calm tone. I explained our position in a calm manner.
It wasn't until the Chancellor asked why he should listen to me that I
got into what you said the Klingons would respond to."
"That may still work to your advantage, Saavik. That you were
able to stay calm says a lot about you. I suggest you adopt 'soul of
ice' as your plan."
"What about playing to the Klingon sensibilities."
"Admiral Picard is already doing that. You can not compete with
her long experience with Klingons. Her cousin is even married to the
Chancellor's nephew. So try a different tact."
"That sounds reasonable," Admiral Saavik mused, taking her seat
behind the desk for the first time. "I just hope you're up to a
little sword fighting. I'm going to need something to drain of all
the tensions that are going to occur in the next couple of days."
"Always, Princess, always."
In Jacqueline Marie Picard's quarters, the Computer Security
Officer was typing up a storm, implementing new security measures.
The room was not what you'd expect from the daughter of a Star Fleet
Officer, in particular, the daughter of the Commanding Admiral
Starfleet. Her bed was unmade, and had a dirty uniform tossed on top
of it. Several pairs of socks and one pair of boots were strewn
across the room. Her work area was cluttered with ROM chips. A bowl
of stale corn chips was to the right side of the desk and a half-empty
glass of flat grape soda stood beside it.
In short, it was a mess. The young ensign hadn't gotten any
sleep in almost two days. Her eyes had circles around them, and she
was beginning to mutter her thinking. "Seventy-four suspects, that's
really narrowed down. There has to be a way to catch the hacker.
Well they aren't getting anymore data from the classifies if I can
help it." Jackie had done everything she could think of to keep the
hacker from getting any more classified data. It now was storied on a
new server which could only be accessed from three stations on the
bridge, the ready room, her sister's, Commodore Sulu's and her own
quarters, plus a VIP quarters located directly below her sister's
rooms. Of course that meant that the Hacker would have to find the
new location first, and the Hacker hadn't seemed to have done that
yet.
"Commodore Sulu to Ensign Picard," a woman's voice announced over
Jackie's communicator.
"Jac-, Picard here," Jackie replied, remembering that she was now
the only Picard on board. "Sorry, I don't have any more information
on our hacker, Commodore."
"That's not what I'm calling about, Ensign," Sulu said. "I've
just been informed that your father will be arriving tomorrow
afternoon. I thought you might want to know."
"Thank you, Commodore," Jackie said, looking at the mess she'd
made in the five days since her older sister, Marrissa, and her
roommate Lynn had left for Kronos. "I'll let you know if I find
anything more about our hacker."
"Very well, Sulu out."
Her door rang. "Come," Jackie said, moving to clean up some of
the mess.
Clara Sutter entered. Her eyes had circles under them, telling
how much her newborn daughter had been keeping her up. She scanned the
room, with an amused expression on her face. "I figured someone
should be checking on you, Jackie," Clara said. "This room is a mess,
although I shouldn't be speaking as my quarters are almost as bad."
"I've been trying to track down that hacker, but I just can't
seem to find any sign they are still active," Jackie said, placing the
stale chips and flat grape soda in the replicator for recycling. "I
haven't had time to sleep in two days."
"Jackie, you don't have to short yourself sleep to do a good
job," Clara said. "Save that for when you have children. In fact if
you don't get some sleep, you are going to be making lots of mistakes.
You'll never capture the hacker that way."
"I guess," Jackie replied, stacking her ROM chips up neatly. "I
just want to do everything well. I have the family tradition to hold
up."
"Jackie, you really want to follow in your sister's footsteps,
don't you?" Clara guessed, clearing off Jackie's bed. Jackie nodded.
"I wouldn't if I were you. Marrissa has always been very driven.
She's pushed herself very hard to get herself where she is now. She
hasn't always been happy with her life. I don't think she really felt
comfortable with herself until just before she married Jay. Marrissa
makes a nice goal, but if I were you, I'd try to learn from her
mistakes."
"Marrissa makes mistakes?" Jackie said, somewhat surprised.
"Yes, she makes mistakes, just like anyone else," Clara replied.
"She pushed herself really hard. Jay and I were constantly trying to
get her to relax a little. So, why don't you get some rest? I'll tell
Shayna to keep watch on the system, and when you have a good night's
sleep, I'm sure you'll be able to solve what ever comes your way
then."
"OK, as long as you do," Jackie yawned.
Chapter Four
Conducting a multi-media presentation was not something that you
would consider the job of the Commanding Admiral, Star Fleet.
Marrissa was doing it though. She had a large screen displaying
Romulan, Klingon, and Federation space. A holo-projector was ready
for her use. There were examples of Federation shipbuilding. She had
the results of the latest conflicts. Admiral Picard hoped that she had
everything that the Klingon High Council would need and she was
willing to give to make the Klingons come in on the Federation side.
The Romulan representative wasn't attending this session, and
Marrissa wouldn't be attending the Romulan briefing the later in the
day. Both of them would be attending the dinner that evening though.
The High Council stood waiting for her to begin. "Admiral
Picard," Kern said. "Why should we join your side?"
"Why? Well it's only the sensible thing to do," Marrissa began.
"On this screen is the borders as of before the war. Now watch as I
move the lines to where they are now." The borders of the Romulan
Empire suddenly collapsed on the Federation side, moving 20-30 parsecs
from their previous position, judging from the scale of the map. A
member gasp at the sudden change.
"I see you are impressed," Marrissa said. "Perhaps you'll be
impressed even more by this lovely highlight film. Our first segment
is from the Battle of Star Fort Four. Involved forces were the
starship Enterprise-F, the Warbirds Ravage, Rage, and Rampage under
the command of Star Fort Four, and a dozen from nearby Star Forts."
The holo-projector fired up. A large gold and orange planet
appeared with the Nova Class Starship Enterprise coming out of warp in
front of it. She released fighters which headed up toward the north
pole of the planet. Then the Enterprise began moving around the
planet. A damaged Warbird moved into view. "The first challenge of
the battle wasn't much. The Warbird you see, the Ravage, had been
damaged when the Enterprise-E exploded near it." On the screen, the
Ravage was quickly destroyed. Two new Warbirds moved into view. "The
Rage and the Rampage were much more serious opponents." The
Enterprise, now pursued by two Warbirds, headed past the Star Fort
before turning up to the North Pole of the planet. A cloud of debris
surrounded the polar region, the remains of the sixth starship
Enterprise and the half-a-dozen Warbirds it had taken with it to her
death. "Unfortunately, the Captains of the Warbirds suffered from an
affliction commanders of Fighter Carriers call Fighteritus. The
inability to consider fighters a threat." As the Warbirds entered the
cloud, wings of fighters emerged, making passes on the Warbirds who
ignored them and pounded on the Enterprise. The fighters and the
Enterprise disposed of the Romulans and returned to the Starbase.
"I had planned on boarding to rescue the crew of the
Enterprise-E, but Admiral Riker had already taken the place," Marrissa
said. "As we had spotted reinforcements on their way, we loaded up
the crew of the old Enterprise and prepared to warp out of there.
Unfortunately, we had a some company arrive before that." A dozen
Warbirds moved into view, cutting off the Enterprise's escape route.
"With our route cut off, I did the sensible thing, I went though
them." The Enterprise's defector dish opened fire and the Star Fort
exploded as the Enterprise plunged into and through it. "They chased
us back into Federation space where the Endeavor under Captain Chelsea
Crusher, and the medical ship Pasteur under Captain Beverly Picard
assisted us in destroying them.
"That was a nice opening battle, but it was just an opening,"
Counselor Kartog
stated.
"Yes, that was just a prologue," Marrissa smiled. "The next
battle I'm showing you is the Twenty-Second Battle of Earth. Involved
are the Federation's Second Fleet, under then Captain Geordi La Forge;
several uncommissioned starships, including the Yorktown; the Fighter
Carrier Stargazer; and the Defiant under Vice Admiral Sisko.
The scene opened with the Second Fleet in orbit above a quiet
Earth. Suddenly dozens of Warbirds decloaked, opening fire on Earth
directly. The Second Fleet sprung into motion, shields raising,
phasers and torpedoes firing. "The attack was entirely unexpected.
We've since installed better sensors, which should prevent a
reoccurrence. During the initial bombardment, the United Federation
Congress, President Inno, and Star Fleet Headquarters, all vanished
under disrupter fire. By the time the Second Fleet pulled the
Romulans away from Earth, four hundred million people were dead." The
Second Fleet inserted itself between the Romulans and Earth, and
pushed them back.
The scene shifted to the red planet, as Marrissa said, "Meanwhile
above Mars, the Romulans planned to attack and destroy Utopia Planeta
Yards and all the ships being built there." The view focused on a
complex of space docks with ships in various states of completion in
them. "Commander McBroom, who commanded the yard sent all that were
able into action." Ships moved out of the docks, including a Nova
Class Starship, the Yorktown. "The attack on Mars was not successful.
In fact, Star Fleet Intelligence says that the Romulan Command calls
it an unqualified disaster." Partially finished, but not toothless
starships faced off against a lesser number but complete warbirds.
The warbirds lost, as the uncommissioned and unfinished Starships
darted though and around the Romulan formation, sowing beads of
destructive torpedoes and lances of phaser fire among their foes.
"The Second Fleet wasn't having as much luck," Marrissa
acknowledged as the scene shifted back to Earth. The ships of the
Second Fleet appeared battered and were missing several of their
number. "They had taken as many as they had lost, but there were more
Romulans." An Excelsior class starship blows up, taking a warbird
with it. "However, the Romulans didn't have reinforcements.
Starfleet didn't have the usual kind either, at least not in any time
that would matter." Twenty old starships, whose markings were
familiar to the council, they'd learnt about these ships' proud
histories in school, moved into view. The Enterprise-A, Kirk's last
command; the second Hood, veteran of no less than two dozen conflicts;
and the Enterprise-C, scourge of the First Cardassian War, were just
some of historic ships going into battle for the first time in years,
in some cases decades. "They may have been old, but they made a
difference." The old ships joined the fray, causing the Romulans to
rearrange themselves as the next ships came into view. "The Fighter
Carrier Stargazer chose to enter the battle from behind the moon. A
tactic that served it well." The Stargazer, Marrissa's father's first
Command, and a former post of the young lady came out from behind the
Moon, its phasers firing, a halo of fighter surrounding it. "The
Defiant took an interesting arrival." The Defiant appeared as if it
had came right out of the closed doors of the Starbase. She raced
though the Romulan fleet leaving a strip of scored hull on each
Warbird she passed.
"The Utopia fleet, having finished off it's opponents, finished
the battle," Marrissa said. The uncommissioned Starship Yorktown and
its companions moved in pushing the remnants of the Romulan attack
force away from Earth. The projection faded.
"That attack must have severely damaged the Federation," Kern
stated.
"Not as much as one would have thought," Marrissa replied. "We
only lost twenty ships. As for the damage to Star Fleet's command
structure, well, we had a lot of unnecessary structure, building in
redundancy. I had a fully functional staff that I haven't changed
yet, serving me by the end of the day. It also gave a good motivation
to our officers when I launched the next campaign."
"A good victory is always good for moral," an old council member
stated.
"The next set, is probably the first time I've deliberately set
out to lose," Marrissa began as a diagram of section of the
Romulan/Federation boarder came up. "The group of Star Forts Nine,
Five, Six, and Twelve were tough. Each of them reinforced the others
when they were attacked. So I first made a run down the line, hitting
them as I passed, engaging them in battle with the eye to taking as
many ships out of contention as possible with as little damage as
possible. Then I detached Captain Hikaru Sulu of the Excelsior with
five ships, making a hit and run attack on Nine, as Captain Demora
Sulu of the Osaka and five other ships did the same with Six. After
waiting until Five and Twelve sent reinforcements to their distressed
counterparts, I hit Star Fort Five, which is between Nine and Twelve."
"The attack was easy," Marrissa said. "We had some nice little
tricks up our sleeves. Commander Wesley Crusher, First Officer of the
Endeavor, had installed a phased cloaking device on his ship. He took
his ship right into the Star Fort's main repair bay and uncloaked.
When his boarding parties beamed into the station, the Romulans were
totally unprepared. To make matters worse, my Computer Security
Officer joined them, taking the computer over in quite a short time."
"The footage I'm about to show you was obtained from Star Fort
5's computers," Marrissa stated. "I'm sorry about the quality of the
images, but it was the best I could find."
A control room overlooking a large repair dock appeared on
screen. The dock was empty, but the room had two officers in it. As
the footage began, a Nebula Class Starship, the Endeavor appeared in
the bay, fading in. The Romulan officers ran toward the console,
intending to sound the alarm. Six Starfleet Officers beamed into the
room. Quick phaser shots stunned the Romulans before the alarm could
be sounded. "As you can see the initial boarding when very well,"
Marrissa commented. "The next step was to take the computer core."
Wesley led a formation down a hallway, with a girl with
strawberry blond hair in a protected position at the center.
"Commander Wesley Crusher lead the team," Marrissa said. As they
headed down the hallway, his team stunned the Romulans as they came
into view. Rarely did the Romulans get a second shot. "The fast pace
he set enabled them to get deep within the Star Fort before the
security forces caught up with them."
The view shifted to a camera by a guarded room. The security
team came around the corner and opened fire. These guards got off a
dozen shots, stunning one of Wesley's team. The two guards were
stunned after a brief firefight and the young girl moved to access the
controls by the door. "The girl you see here is my little sister,
Jacqueline Picard," Marrissa said. "She was instrumental in making
this plan work." Jackie worked for a moment, then her eyes sparkling,
she turned toward her brother, and made a grand presenting gesture
toward the door as it opened. Inside a half dozen Romulan Computer
Technicians were slumped over their consoles, apparently taken out by
their own computer defenses.
Wesley's team made a quick check of the room, securing the
Romulans before letting his little sister come in to the room and take
over the controls. The view faded to the Commanding Admiral of the
Star Fort, who was saying, "I demand you withdraw your troops
immediately. If you don't I will destroy this base with your troops on
it."
Marrissa's voice responded, "Go ahead."
"Computer set self-destruct," the Admiral ordered, placing his
hand on a nearby panel. "Authorization, Sivisc Primus Command Delta
One Four One Destruct."
The Romulan Computer responded in a deep bass, "Insufficient
authorization." The image faded.
Marrissa smiled, saying, "That gentlemen, is how to take over a
Star Fort without damaging a single circuit. I'd show you more hand
to hand footage, but we have a problem with cameras surviving those,
and the Romulans seem to prefer to use their disrupters instead of
their hands. They are singularly lacking in the unarmed and sword
combat skills, a shame in a most challenging enemy."
"We've seen you battles, but what about your ships," Kern asked.
"I've been hearing my niece bragging about how well the Enterprise
performs, and all we've seen are a couple snips of battle. I want to
see a whole workout on that ship."
Marrissa smiled. "I can do that." The Nova class Starship
Enterprise appeared via the holographic projector. It was still in
its docking bay over Mars. A quick circuit of the ship was made
before the picture changed. "The Nova class Starship Enterprise was
the second Nova Class off the line, and the seventh of her name.
Currently there are three Novas in service, the Nova, the Yorktown,
and the Enterprise. A fourth, the Lexington, is due to be
commissioned in a month." The Enterprise was now moving in space,
shooting off phasers and torpedoes at targets, all of which were hit.
"Capable of at least warp 14 on the Clara II scale, she has 36 phaser
banks, 5 torpedo bays, and a compliment of 500 fighter craft." A
squadron of fighters, 49 in all, launched from the forward bay, and
took up a formation around the ship. "The ship can separate into two
parts. The saucer section is capable of landing and taking off,
unlike that of the fifth starship Enterprise."
"I remember that," Kern commented. "Tell me, has anyone let
Counselor Troi pilot a ship since then?"
"She's now Captain Troi of the Hawaii," Marrissa responded. "I
don't think any of the Enterprise's former staff has let her take the
helm since then, but she's got her own ship now, and if she wants to
pilot it, well it's her court-martial when it crashes into a planet."
The High Council laughed at the comment.
"Seriously, is there anything else you'd like to know?" Marrissa
asked.
"I do not think so," Kern said. "You've stated your rather
strong position, and given us lots of good reasons to support your
cause."
Kartog interrupted, "I for one, would not mind fighting at the
side of your Enterprise or any of those Nova Class ships. They are
truly, swords of honor."
"I will be sure to pass your compliment on to their designers and
crews," Marrissa said.
"He-hem. As I was saying, you've said everything we need," Kern
said. "I will see you at tonight's banquet."
"Very well," Marrissa said. She gathered up her stuff and exited
the room.
Chapter Five
Once again Marrissa and Jay were relaxing in the VIP quarters.
"So how do you think you did?" Jay asked.
"I'm worried, Jay," Marrissa replied. "Kern's dismissal was
really curt. I don't think he wants join the war on our side. If the
Council Leader can't support us, then we are a lost cause."
"He's in a really hard spot," Jay replied. "He has relatives in
Star Fleet, but he has to appear undecided until he has a consensus.
You know how hard that can be with Klingons."
"Well at least Counselor Kartog seemed to be in favor of us,"
Marrissa said.
"I knew there was a bright spot," Jay said. "You'll never guess
who came to relieve the Osaka's Chief Medical officer."
"Who?" Marrissa asked. "And more importantly why?"
"It seems that Doctor Beverly Picard decided that since her
husband had recovered, it would be advisable to make sure you got the
best of care when your time came," Jay replied. "She gave the CMO a
runabout ride to Risa and a four week pass."
"I bet Doctor Minizo liked that," Marrissa said. "Although I'm
not sure I can stand time under Mom's care."
"Is there something wrong with the good Doctor?" Jay asked.
"You know my father has said that all Starship Captains should
take a course on how to escape from Sickbay?"
"I have heard."
"Well, its necessary because certain CMO's care so much about
their patients that they are never let out of the Sickbay until every
molecule is back in the right place," Marrissa said.
"And your mother is one of them," Jay concluded.
"Yes."
Jackie Picard was sleeping peacefully, her body having decided to
take all the sleep it could while it could. A smile graced her face
and a wisp of her strawberry blond hair had gotten caught in her
mouth. Her room was a lot cleaner than it had been in weeks, thanks
to Clara. The image was shattered at 0700 hours, when suddenly the
computer began playing "Stars and Strips Forever."
Jackie woke up and jumped out of bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Computer, turn off alarm," she ordered. "Give me a summary of any
computer security notations since 1700 hours yesterday."
"Attempted hack into desert database by Ensign Gomez," the
computer began. "Logged off, notation sent to Doctor Johnson."
"You'd think he'd give up trying to get around his diet by now,"
Jackie muttered.
"Attempted access to Flight plan database. Allowed by Lieutenant
Sachs. Attempted access of old secured database, trace route failed.
Summary of data obtained by trace route saved to secured log. List of
possible terminals for access sent to Lieutenant Sachs and Ensign
Picard. End Notations."
"Computer, how long until my father arrives?" Jackie asked.
"Fleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard is scheduled to arrive in 2 hours
35 minutes."
"Just enough time to get ready. Any messages?"
"One, from Nicholas Rene Picard, USS Sovereign."
"Message summary?"
"Dos and Don'ts when Dad arrives."
"Save message, and remind me of it in an hour."
Admiral Saavik was ready for her presentation. She did not know
if she could win. The Romulans were not winning the war. If the
Klingons came on the Romulan side, they would win. If the Klingons
joined the Federation side, the life span of the Romulan Star Empire
had dropped to a few months, if not weeks.
The set up was the same as it had been for the Federations
presentation. The members of the Klingon High Council were gathered
awaiting her words. Kern spoke up, "Convince us."
"I'd give you highlight films," Saavik began. "But, those can be
altered. So I'll start with how the Romulan Star Empire planned to
win, before you announced your intention to join the war. I'm sure my
honorable adversary, her royal highness, Admiral Marrissa Picard, has
been most through in explaining the current situation."
"You've no doubt heard of what the Federation calls the Battles
of the Star Fort Line. It is that set of battles, which the Romulans
won all but the last two, which gave us the opening we needed."
She pointed to a Star Fort with a Star Fleet Insignia as its
indicator. "This is Star Fort Five, recently taken by the Federation.
To get to it, the Federation must run a gauntlet of our lines. We
believe that we can close off that path, destroying all the ships on
their way to the Starbase. With that done, three of the Federation's
Fleets will be cut off from the rest of them. We will then attack and
destroy the Federation's forces from that point on their lines up to
the Klingon border."
Chapter Six
"We've got to get that spy," Jackie said, as she looked over the
list of suspects that Lieutenant Sachs and Commander O'Brien had
narrowed down while she was sleeping. There was just 31 left. When
she finished skimming it, she looked up and said, "These are all
certainly capable of hacking into the system. Ensign Gomez has been
trying to get around his diet restrictions for weeks."
"Could he be the spy?" O'Brien asked.
"I won't rule him out," Sachs said. "He did have the
opportunity."
"Gomez just wants a chocolate dipped vanilla ice cream cone,"
Jackie said. "It's how I know it's him. Doctor Johnson has put him
on a diet and prohibited ice cream. Since the day he got on that
diet, I've been catching him every night at 1800 hours ordering the
same forbidden treat. I log him off, send him a lecture, and then
remind myself why I can't have the same treat."
"That's right, you're allergic to vanilla," Shayna said.
"Yeah, the one thing nobody else is," Jackie stated. "It's so
hard to turn down everything with it in. It just looks so good. Oh
well, at least I can have chocolate."
"You know, if the spy thought we had gotten the wrong person and
weren't looking for another, we might be able to catch them," O'Brien
commented, bringing the conversation back to the task at hand.
"You mean we arrest someone and make it look like we've found
them," Shayna commented. "Not a bad idea, any suggestions?"
"I have one," Ensign Jackie Picard said. "At 1800 hours tonight,
I think Ensign Gomez will be getting an unexpected dessert."
"Sulu to Ensign Picard."
"Go ahead."
"The Sovereign has arrived."
"Thank you, Captain." Jackie said. "I'll meet my father in
transporter room 1. Picard out. If you all will excuse me, I've got
a father to greet."
Marrissa and Jay, along with Jay's sister Lynn returned to their
quarters after the Klingon banquet. Jay was somewhat drunk, which was
to be expected. This was a Klingon banquet after all. Marrissa and
Lynn had avoided the bloodwine. Marrissa pleaded Doctor's orders, and
Lynn was not of age.
"Jay, what was that stuff they served us?" Lynn asked, as they
took seats on the couch. "It was still moving."
"Gagh," Marrissa replied, looking up at the ceiling. "One of the
staples of the Klingon diet. It's suppose to be served while it's
still moving. There is an old Klingon saying, 'there is nothing worse
than half-dead gagh.'"
"Yes there is," Lynn said. "Living gagh."
"You may be right," Marrissa replied. "I see you enjoyed the
blood pie though."
"It kinda tasted like cherries," Lynn said. "But I can't see how
a Klingon restaurant would make money. It's awful food."
"Then perhaps you would like to sample the food of Germernus VI,"
Jay said. "Cook's creed, the longer it's in the pot the better. They
seem to be there proof behind that old rhyme, 'some like it hot, some
like it cold, some like in the pot, nine days old.' The last time I
had to eat there, the banquet hall looked like someone had put the
food on the table and left it to rot for a month."
"Don't remind me," Marrissa said. "Did you see how the Romulan
Admiral looked at the food. She didn't know what to think."
"Just like the first time anyone tries Klingon," Jay said. "I
remember the first time you tried it. I don't think you ate more than
a bite of each food.
"I was seven years old and a very picky eater, Jay," Marrissa
replied.
Chapter Seven
Commodore Sulu, Commander Rozhenko, and Ensign Picard gathered in
Transporter Room. Fleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and his son Nicholas
were due to come aboard. All of them were in Dress uniform. Behind
the console was Chief O'Brien, in regular duty uniform.
"The Sovereign signals that the Commanding Admiral is ready to
beam aboard," O'Brien said.
"Beam him aboard, Chief," Sulu said.
Jean-Luc Picard and his son materialized. The Fleet Admiral wore
a black and gray formal jump suit, not standard issue. His son wore a
navy outfit, reminisce of late twentieth century British navy dress
uniform. Jackie was of the private opinion that it looked nice on
Nick.
"Welcome aboard, Admiral," Sulu stated.
"Thank you, Commodore," Jean-Luc said.
"This is my acting First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Alexander
Rozhenko," Sulu introduced.
"I'm familiar with him, he and my oldest daughter are childhood
friends," Picard said. "How is the new baby, Alex?"
"Alexis finally slept though the night last night," Alexander
said.
"Lieutenant Commander Miles O'Brien is our Chief Engineer," Sulu
said.
"Still running the transporter after all these years, Chief?"
Jean-Luc said.
"Your daughter drafted me, sir," O'Brien said.
"So I heard," Jean-Luc said.
"And of course you know my Computer Security Officer," Sulu said.
Jean-Luc Picard looked up and down at his daughter. Jackie had
spent some time preparing for her father's arrival. Her strawberry
blond hair was up in a intricate and tight braid, held in place by two
of her sister's silver combs. Coupled with the Star Fleet dress
uniform, he hadn't seen Jackie so dressed up since her first
communion, some four years before.
With a twinkle in his eye, he replied, "I don't believe I know
this young lady."
Commodore Sulu, having been in this situation during her career,
stood back and watched.
Nicholas stepped up, "This can't be my sister. At least not
Jack."
"And why not, Nicki?" Jackie said.
"No circles under the eyes, no grape soda stains on the uniform,"
Nicholas said. "And she was suppose to be handling a security breach
of some sort. That can't be my younger sister."
"Nicki, I'm two years older than you, and I'm not the only person
in Computer Security, just the highest ranked," Jackie replied.
"You probably act like it though," Nicholas said.
"That will be enough, Nicholas," his father said. "I assume
you've been doing well under your sister's command."
"Fine, father," Jackie said. "I assume Nicki has been keeping
you from exhausting yourself."
"I've been trying, but he doesn't make it easy," Nicholas said.
"Your brother has an annoying habit of appear just when I'm in
the middle of something and stopping me," Jean-Luc said. "If I didn't
know better, I'd say he has been taking lessons from Wesley."
"And who says I haven't," Nicholas said, pulling a white rose
out, seemingly from the air. He handed it to his sister, who sniffed
it.
"Fresh from the Sovereign's hydroponic's bay?" Jackie asked.
"Only the best for my favorite sister," Nicholas said.
"Commodore, if you will show me to my quarters... I have a
feeling that my children need to do a little catching up," Jean-Luc
Picard said.
"Very well, Admiral," Sulu said, as she lead him out of the
transporter room. "I assume since you are on the Enterprise, you are
returning to duty as Commanding Admiral."
"Not until Marrissa goes into labor, that was our deal," Jean-Luc
Picard said. "I get time to recover, and she gets time to try her own
plan, which as you can see, is working quite well."
Nicholas Picard looked around his sister's room. It was neat.
That wasn't like his sister. When the two were seven and five, their
father had been assigned to a new Starbase near Tholian Space. For
six months, the two had to share a room. Nicholas's side was always
clean. Jackie's side's had been only as neat as required to pass her
father's inspection.
"Let me guess, fast pre-inspection clean up," Nicholas said.
"Of course," Jackie said, walking over to the replicator. "Your
usual poison, pipsqueak."
"I'd hardly call it poison, Jack." Nicholas said. "So how is
life as an officer?"
"Orange Strawberry Bannana juice, one ice cube; grape soda, third
crushed ice," Jackie ordered. "Exhausting. I didn't realize how much
work is. I've got three programmers and one programmer analyst under
me. That means handling duty schedules, performance reviews, and
personality conflicts."
"So your dream is turning unto a nightmare?" Nicholas said, as he
and his sister sat down on her couch.
"Not quite," Jackie said. "I'm just learning that it's a lot of
hard work too. How is your dream coming?"
"Aunt Marie seems intent on making sure Rene and I know every
little detail about the vineyard," Nicholas said as he sipped on his
juice. "I've tended the vines. We've help repair the bottler, you
know that thing's three centuries old. I've studied how the weather
effects the wine, and what can effect the growth of grapes. The way
she pushes us, I'm almost glad for the vacation."
"So it's become a nightmare."
"No, I just need an escape every once in a while. Rene visits
his mother's horses, I visit my relatives in Star Fleet," Nicholas
said, swirling his juice in his glass.
"Well, you do have better taste," Jackie said.
"I don't know, I think his are better looking," Nicholas said
finishing his drink.
"Nicki, you better rephrase that," Jackie said, picking up a
pillow.
"Why Jack? Can't stand the fact that a horse looks better than
you," Nicholas said. His eyes flashed with mischief as he moved to
stand so the room's round table was between him and her.
"Nicki!" The pillow was launched with deadly accuracy. It
impacted Nicholas on the face. It slid down into his arms.
"I do not believe throwing pillows is proper behavior for Star
Fleet Officers," Nicholas said, moving to hold the purple pillow in
his right hand.
"I'm your older sister, I can hit you with a pillow any time I
want to," Jackie said, picking up the other pillow from the couch, and
moving to throw it.
Just as she released it, her own face was hit with Nicholas's
pillow. Hers missed him. "And as you little brother, I'll be sure to
return the favor."
The two began to circle the table pillows in hand. Occasionally,
they'd throw at each other. However, each exchange ended with them
once again circling, pillow at the ready. Some time during the
exchange, their father entered. Neither noticed.
Jean-Luc Picard observed his children at play. It wasn't
something he was able to see often. Jackie and Nicholas tended to act
more grown up than they should. It was probably the example of their
much older sister that did it. But Jackie was only twelve, and
Nicholas ten. A little bit of play was expected of them. Of course,
running around Jackie's quarters throwing pillows was not really
acceptable behavior, but he would let them get away with it just a
little longer.
Jackie's next throw missed her little brother and hit her father
instead. She didn't notice, since she was dodging Nicholas's throw.
"Jacqueline Marie Picard, what did I tell you about throwing things
inside of your quarters," Jean-Luc Picard said with mock seriousness.
Both siblings turned toward their father. Their expressions were of
false innocence, seemly pasted on their faces.
"Don't do it," Jackie replied, hiding the other pillow behind her
back. "But, I'm not under your roof any more."
"Think again Jackie," Jean-Luc said. "As Commanding Admiral, all
starships are under my roof."
"But father, you are currently relieved of duty for medical
reasons, and our older sister holds that position until you return,"
Nicholas contributed.
"You do have a point," Jean-Luc said, as Jackie scored a direct
hit in the face with her pillow. Jean-Luc Picard responded quickly,
capturing his daughter and picking up the girl in his arms. "And you,
young lady should have known better. Now what should I do with you?"
"Dad, you're not suppose to lift heavy objects," Nicholas said.
"Did you just call your sister heavy, Nicholas?" Jean-Luc said.
Nicholas nodded. "You're not suppose to comment of a woman's weight,
young man. Even if she is a little heavy."
"Daddy, I'm not a little girl that you can carry to the swimming
hole and toss in when her temper gets out of control," Jackie said.
"You have grown some," Jean-Luc said letting her down.
The Klingon High Counsel returned to the main chamber after an
extensive debate in an executive session. Admiral Saavik, Admiral
Marrissa Picard, and Captain Jay Gordon stood waiting. Emperor
Kahless headed the procession, taking his place in the ceremonial
throne. By recent tradition, he would not speak on policy maters.
That was for Chancellor Kern to handle. The Counsel filed in behind
the Chancellor who took up station to the right of the Emperor on a
slightly lower dais.
Kern waited until all the council was in place before announcing,
"It is the uncontested decision of the Klingon Empire that we join the
war, effective immediately. We have chosen to enter the war on the
side of the United Federation of Planets. The Romulan representative
will be given 24 hours to leave the Empire. If at that time they have
not left the bounds of the Empire, they will be considered a hostile
vessel of war."
"Understood, honorable council leader," Admiral Saavik said.
"But know this, you decision will be the undoing of the Klingon
Empire." Saavik turned and left the chamber."
"Admiral Picard, let us plan our strategy so our entry may be one
of great impact," Kern said.
It wasn't more than five minutes later, that the Osaka
interrupted the meeting with a frantic call. "Osaka to Admiral Picard
and Captain Gordon. We've got a fleet of at least forty Romulan
warbirds lead entering the system."
"I have to return to my ship," Marrissa excused herself. "I
suggest you call for all the ships you've got. If this is anything
like what they did with us, we've got a problem. Picard to Osaka, two
to beam directly to the bridge."
The two Star Fleet Officers dematerialized. The council quickly
moved to get to their own commands.
On the bridge of the Osaka, Marrissa moved take a seat in the
command chair. A twinge of pain crossed her face. "Ops, send the
following message, channel two, 'It's Friday,'" she ordered.
"But sir, it's Tuesday," Ops said.
"I know," Marrissa said. "Jay, I need a tactical overview of the
system." Jay handed her a PADD. "Thanks. Put the Romulans on
screen."
A fleet of over seventy Warbirds appeared. "How did all those
ships get this far into the Klingon Empire?" Jay wondered.
"Chancellor Kern is hailing the Romulans," Ops announced. "He's
asking them why. No reply from the Romulans. He's ordered the
Klingon third fleet to attack."
"Take us in, CONN," Marrissa ordered. "Ops, same channel, 'no
unlucky number.'"
As the Romulans began engaging the Klingon Fleet, to the Romulan
rear, another fleet appeared. It was not a Romulan one. These ships
all bore Star Fleet Insignia. It consisted of an even hundred Defiant
Class vessels. As the Defiant Class vessels opened fire, an
announcement came over channel two. "This is Vice Admiral Benjamin
Sisko on the USS Defiant commanding the Thirteenth Fleet, reporting as
ordered, sir."
Seventy Romulan Warbirds, one Warhawk Cruiser verse the eighty-
one ships of various classes of the Klingon Third fleet, the hundred
ships of Star Fleet's Thirteenth Fleet, and the USS Osaka. It wasn't
exactly a fair fight. Now if Star Fleet had only had the Osaka, then
the Romulans would have had a chance. In fact, they probably would
have won. However, they were sandwiched between the Klingons and Star
Fleet. It was not a pretty sight.
While the Osaka wove in and out of the edge of the battle,
Marrissa grimaced in pain. "Jay, I think I better head to Sickbay,"
she stated.
"Why?" Jay said, his attention on the viewscreen as the Osaka
dove toward another warbird.
"I think I'm going into labor," Marrissa said as a contraction
over took her.
"What!" Jay said. "You aren't due for another week."
"I know," Marrissa said. "I better get down there."
Jay helped his wife up and toward the turbolift. "Commander
Masato, you have the bridge." he ordered before the turbolift door
closed.
Chapter Eight
Commander O'Brien and Ensign Picard overheard the conversation in
Engineering from his office. It was the usual quiet chatter around
the main situation monitor. Of course the chatter wasn't on the usual
subjects. Usually one heard about the officer's children, or where
the Captain and First Officer had been caught lately.
"Did you hear about Ensign Gomez?"
"I heard he got caught hacking."
"Probably was trying to that ice cream cone that Doc Johnson
prohibited."
"I don't know, Security has been looking for someone rather hard
lately."
"Nah, Gomez doesn't have the personality of a spy."
"And like you're such a good judge of character."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
With that, Miles O'Brien entered Main Engineering. "That's
enough folks, we've got a ship to run. Ensign Dooley, what's the
status of the repairs on the aft starboard third phaser array?"
"Finished sir."
Jean-Luc Picard was enjoying a nice cup of Earl Grey. It was
nice to have some free time every once in a while. Commanding Admiral
Star Fleet was a ten year appointment, and he was only in his second
year. Already the demands of the job had gotten to him on occasion.
So the injury was not a totally unwelcome event. He did hate to spend
so much time recovering, but it had given him time to get to know his
son a little better. Nicholas had always been good at getting him to
relax. The boy seemed to know just when he needed a break.
Now his daughter Jackie however, that girl, though he loved her
dearly, could drive him distraction. She was constantly getting into
things that a girl her age shouldn't. She'd snuck into classes at the
Academy on a wide range of subjects, skipping regular school to do so.
After several incidents of the young girl being taken back to her
school after bringing herself to the attention of the instructor with
a question (who more often than not admitted that the question was a
good one) and being returned to her school, Jean-Luc had given up, and
put her on a course of independent study. Several Academy
instructors had volunteered to teach her, much to Jean-Luc's surprise.
She had only been seven when he'd given up. Now she was twelve and he
worried about her getting interested in other things too early, like
boys. She was like her older sister Marrissa. They may not have
shared any blood, but the two were too alike sometimes. Both liked to
push the bounds of the expected. Marrissa had turned out fairly well,
but he still worried about Jackie.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sound coming from a nearby
wall. Someone was opening in the wall. He had been briefed about the
spy on the Enterprise, and knew of his daughter's plans. Jean-Luc
Picard had been a Starship Captain for more than four decades. Such
people are very rarely caught totally unprepared. So when the computer
panel began displaying classified data, he was ready. Having a
daughter who spent her early years taking everything apart had it's
uses. Two presses upward, and the cover was off. His rank bar was
placed precisely across a small section of contacts. A shower of
sparks went off. The panel wouldn't be used for quite sometime. Some
movement was heard in the jefferies tube behind the wall. Then out in
the corridor, a yelp. A familiar yelp. It was Nicholas.
Out into the corridor, Jean-Luc ran, heedless of the fact that he
had no weapon. Nicholas was being held by a male vulcanoid in
Engineering yellow. A phaser was pressed to his head. "Stay right
there Admiral, unless you want this boy hurt."
"What do you want?" Jean-Luc asked. "It's not like you can get
off this ship."
"That's exactly what I intend to do," the spy said.
At that Jackie came around the bend, her phaser drawn. "And how
are you going to do that?" she said. "I've notified Security.
Lieutenant Sachs won't let you go anywhere. And if you just happen to
steal a ship, Commodore Sulu won't let you go much further, Ensign
Silvok, if that is you real name."
"I don't think they'll want me to harm the Admiral's son," Silvok
said. "And it is my real name."
"It's a shame then," Jackie said. "Too bad you don't have a
creditable threat."
"What do you mean, I've got a phaser to your brother's head!"
Silvok said.
"He does have a point," Jean-Luc said.
"Well, that's a phaser stolen from armory panel number fifty
five," Jackie said. "All phasers shipboard have an automatic disable
circuit. The ship is currently programmed to disable phasers not held
by authorized personnel. Currently, that's only security personnel
like myself."
Silvok moved to take Nicholas into more physically threatening
position, but that was the opening Jackie needed. She fired. It
caught the spy in his left shoulder. He slump, then fell to the
floor, unconscience.
"Thanks Jack," Nicholas said, rubbing where the phaser had been
pressing into his head.
"You're welcome, Nicki," Jackie said. "Jackie Picard to
Security, I've captured our spy. Please send some officers to take
Ensign Silvok to the brig."
"Jackie, is there really such a control in phasers," Jean-Luc
said. "I don't remember one."
"There is a power level restricter, but nothing that specific,"
Jackie replied. "But Ensign Silvok was an Warp Engineer, so I didn't
think he'd know much about hand phaser design."
"You mean you risked my life on a bluff," Nicholas said.
"You can't argue with success," Jackie said, as four security
officers arrived to take Ensign Silvok to the brig.
"Oh really?"
"Nicholas, don't hit your sister."
In the Osaka's Sickbay, Doctor Beverly Picard was preparing to
deliver her second grandchild. Marrissa had been an almost model
patient. She did plainly want it to be over with, but she hadn't made
any threats on her husband's anatomy, and in Doctor Picard's
experience that was a good sign.
"Jay," Marrissa said between contractions.
"Yes Marrissa," Jay replied.
"We're never doing this AGAIN," she said as a contraction took
her.
"One more push hard, Marrissa," the Doctor said. Moments later
after two hours of pushing and grunting, little Sarah Alara Picard was
born. She cried loudly as the doctor took her to clean her up.
Soon Marrissa was laying in recovery, her daughter in her arms,
and Jay holding her in a protective embrace. "She's beautiful,"
Marrissa said, staring at the little baby girl sucking at her breast.
"Just like her mother," Jay said.
"Jay."
"Yes Mara."
"About what I said earlier, forget it," Marrissa said.
"What did you say earlier?" Jay said, kissing his wife.
"Oh, and Jay, next time I have to leave the bridge, stay and
finish the battle."
Orders of the Day, Star Fleet Command.
Fleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard resuming command.
Commodore Demora Sulu promoted to Rear Admiral and reassigned to take
command of the newest Nova Class starship, the Lexington and the
Twenty-First Fleet.
The Excelsior, the Lake Superior, and the George C. Scott reassigned
from the First Fleet to the Twenty-First. Captain Hikaru Sulu to
serve as Executive Officer of the said fleet.
The Georgia, the Damocles, and the Scott Jamison to join First Fleet.
Commander Masoto assigned as Captain of the Osaka.
Captain Jay Gordon promoted to Commodore and assigned Command of the
First Fleet, per recommendations. Admiral Marrissa Picard placed on
maternity leave, one month.
Commendations issued, Battle of Kronos: Admiral Marrissa Picard; Vice
Admiral Benjamin Sisko, commanding Thirteenth Fleet; Captains Leedson,
Harrison, and Duncan of the Monitor, Merrmac, and Dreadnought
respectively; Commander Shinji Masoto, First Officer, USS Osaka.
Commendations issued, Battle of Star Fort 16: Captains Savek and
Tassadar of the George C. Scott and the Swiftsure.
General Watches: Warhawk Bloodfire, escaped from Battle of Kronos.
Expected to be damaged. Capture if possible. Be on the look out for
any new Warhawk class vessels. A mine field has been discovered near
Star Fort 12. Indications of other mining activities have been
spotted. Please report any signs to Admiral Epperly, acting head of
Star Fleet Operations.
End General Orders from Commanding Admiral Star Fleet, aboard USS
Enterprise.
Epilogue
Admiral Marrissa Picard spent the next month getting to know her
new daughter. Her husband took over command of the Enterprise and the
First Fleet. Fleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard spent the time on the
Enterprise, with his children, commanding the fleet.
The addition of the Klingon Empire sped the end of the Romulan
Star Empire. The attack on Kronos insured that only it's complete
surrender and end would end the war. The Klingons would except no
less. In that month that she was off, the noose tightened on the
Romulans.
When Marrissa returned to duty, the Federation and the Klingons
were ready for the final blow, the capture of Romulas and Remus. It
was hers to lead, in our finial volume of the last Romulan War, After
the Storm we'll tell that story.
Professor John P Hereomise III
History Department Chair
Professor of late 24th Century History
University of Essex.
Appendix
Cast in order of appearance: (positions in order of obtaining them)
Name Rank Position
Marrissa Picard ADM Commanding USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F
Commanding First Fleet
Commanding Admiral, Star Fleet
Kern son of Mog Gen. Chancellor of the Klingon High Council
Jay Gordon CPT Executive Officer, First Fleet
Adjutant to the Commanding Admiral
Commanding Officer, USS Osaka
First Officer, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F
Jacqueline Picard Ens. Computer Security Officer, USS Enterprise
Saavik Jeric Adm. Commander of the Warhawk Bloodhawk
Sanok Cdr. First Officer of the Warhawk Bloodhawk
Shayna Sachs Lt. Chief of Security USS Enterprise
Second Officer
Miles O'Brien LCD Chief Engineer, USS Enterprise
Demora Sulu Com Commanding USS Osaka
Commanding USS Enterprise
Commanding First Fleet
Tillek Cent Admiral Saavik's personal bodyguard and
old friend
Kartog Cons Member of the Klingon High Council
Jacquelynn Gordon Ens. Officer USS Osaka, sister of Jay
Beverly Picard Adm. Chief of Star Fleet Medical
Chief Medical Officer, USS Osaka
Jean-Luc Picard FAD Commanding Admiral Star Fleet (on medical
leave)
Nicholas Picard son of Jean-Luc and Beverly Picard (age 10)