Episode 1x01 - Practical
Matthew shifted around in the cockpit of his P-51, looking from side to side, but there was no sign of the fighter he had seen only moments before.
He felt his headband succumb to the pressure of the air and fly off his head. His shoulder length black hair was now flaying in the wind. His palms were sweating profusely and barely held on to the controls.
Suddenly a shadow passed over Matthew and he immediately responded. He pulled the fighter around and fired. His whole plane shook as the recoil from the dual machine guns ripped through the hull like a chainsaw. The Japanese fighter exploded in the distance, but Matt had enough trouble of his own. The port engine gave a deep sigh, as if protesting one last time and gave way.
Matthew flicked a switch and heard a buzz in his left ear.
'Sergeant Matthew Meyers to Command One, Can you hear me?'
His earpiece buzzed again.
'Command One, please respond.'
No answer.
'Command One, I have to attempt an emergency landing, are the runways clear?'
Finally, Matt heard a click and the hoarse voice of his commander rang through.
'Runways clear Matt, you're free to go.'
'Thank you sir,' Matthew responded, just as his plane gave a violent jerk. He quickly scanned the control panel and his eyes widened when a red diode next to the starboard engine schematic flashed.
'Sir, my port engine is fried, and the starboard will soon follow. I'm going to have to try and glide in.'
'Alright Matt,' the commander replied nervously, 'good luck.'
Matthew peered out of the cockpit and spotted the runway in the distance. He gave a quick look at the altimeter and a shudder ran down his back. It didn't take more than years of flight experience and a simple trigonometric calculation to find out that, at the rate he was falling, he would never make the runway in time.
He remembered the grass field he had passed over as he was taking off a couple of hours earlier and with a mighty jerk, turned his plane ever so slightly in its direction.
Matt readied himself as his windshield became a sea of green. A second before impact, he pulled the rudder up and flicked on the flaps. He could feel the momentum push him deep into his seat as the fighter leveled with the ground and the wheels hit the ground.
He bit his lip and urged them to hold on. The plane was slowing down, but the landing gear was becoming more and more unstable. One hundred, eighty, sixty… Bang! The plane dipped to one side as one of the wheels gave way. The other collapsed immediately and Matt found himself gliding along the grassy field.
Finally the plane stopped and Matt clambered out. He heard sirens as the emergency teams from the military airport arrived. The ambulance stopped just on the edge of the runway, that was about fifty meters away.
'Almost,' Matt smiled to himself.
He turned and smiled again, scratching another line onto the right side of his trusted fighter. There were thirty seven of them now. She was in a ghastly state, but the mechanics would patch her up, they always did.
The commander was coming out to greet him.
'Well done!' he exclaimed. 'Another job well done.'
Suddenly, Matthew heard a soft ringing sound coming from somewhere in the distance. He gave a loud sigh and rolled his eyes.
'Time's up, I guess,' he muttered.
'Excuse me?' the commander asked, puzzled.
'Computer, save progress and end program.' Matthew said dejectedly.
The hangar around him disappeared immediately only to be replaced by a metallic room with a distinct green grid. He walked over to the door and it opened automatically.
He was greeted by a soft voice that notified him that he had already used up all of this month's holo-suite credits. And it was only the first weekend of the month…
He walked down the corridor to the nearest turbolift, but before he could press the button, he heard a familiar voice call his name.
A bear-like arm grabbed him from behind and in one swift move, Matthew was sprawled across the floor.
'Oh, come on,' Matthew grunted, but his assailant had already extended his hand and pulled him up.
'Always get you,' he said with content and soon the two best friends were laughing.
'What's so funny?' another voice interjected. 'I hope it's not me.'
'Its not you Al,' Matthew smiled, turning to the short-haired girl that had just arrived. 'Guy stuff,' he added, as if that explained everything.
'Oh,' she replied. There was a slight note of disappointment in her voice that neither of the two noticed. 'Steve?'
'Let it go Alex,' Steve answered in his usual, serene voice. If it weren't for the fact that he was a security cadet and tussled with Matt whenever they met, one would think he was a pacifist, who avoided conflict at all costs. 'So, where we headin'?' he asked in his usual, straight forward to-the-point manner.
'I thought I would go down to the replimat and grab something to eat,' and as if on call, Matthew's stomach rumbled.
Steven laughed and Alex added, 'You're always hungry after you've been in the holo-suite. What do you do in there?' It was obvious that she had asked him this question many times before and wasn't surprised when he just waved her away.
'Wouldn't you wanna know,' he smiled innocently.
'Oh come on, you know its not… THAT,' he added when he saw the surprise on his best friend's face. 'Besides, it's not allowed.'
'It better not be,' she smirked. 'You're spending way too much time in there.'
'Oh no, not that again,' he said. 'Isn't it enough that I hear it from all of my teachers, now I have to listen to it from my friends as well…'
'Sorry,' Alex looked down. 'I didn't…'
'It's ok,' Matthew comforted her. 'I know you didn't mean it that way. I'm just tired of being lectured about my holo-suite habits.'
'So, we goin' to the replimat or not?' Steven said, steering the conversation away from that dangerous subject.
'Yeah,' Matthew and Alex said together.
Starfleet academy, the largest non-commercial complex on Earth and only the second man-made object that can be seen from orbit, is considered by many to be the greatest achievement of mankind. It produces countless talents each year to join the best of the best in the United Federation of Planets: Starfleet.
With the recent threats of the Borg and Dominion, and the weakened state of the Federation, that need for excellence has become ever more dire. It will be up to the next generation to protect Earth, to protect the paradise that humanity has had over five millennia to perfect.
He sat in his seat, looking up at the black screen. He heard a soft beep as the hour turned twelve and a dark shadowy figure appeared on the screen. To the untrained eye, it would seem that the screen was blank, but the figure moved slightly and an almost inaudible electronic voice spoke.
'All is in place, we will be awaiting the delivery of the…' the voice paused, 'merchandise,' and the man nodded in understanding, 'at the planned location. There can be no mistakes.'
He nodded again and the figure vanished.
'There can be no mistakes…' it hung in the air as the man surveyed the plans for the last time. The Starfleet Academy Campus was divided into two wings, North and South.
The North Wing contained the student accommodations, dining halls, recreational areas and everything else one would expect to see in an average sized town, all displayed on the holo-map in full 3-D. Only this wasn't a town, but one single giant complex with its own independent tram and transporter network.
The South Wing contained the university itself, training grounds, simulation chambers, landing pads and officer quarters. With two hundred floors and a diameter of over three kilometers, it cast a shadow even on the magnificent complex of Starfleet Command, situated only a few kilometers away.
The man zoomed in on one particular coordinate in the South Wing and, seeing a couple men preparing a small vessel, smiled to himself. Everything was going as planned.
'I'll have a rootbeer,' Matthew said to the bartender.
'We don't serve rootbeer to students,' it sounded more like an automated response coming from a replimat than a bartender.
'Oh yeah,' Matthew said in mock-surprise, 'Forgot.' He winked back at Alex.
'Cut the cheek,' the bartender barked, 'order or leave,' but before Matt could open his mouth he added, 'order something normal, or leave.'
'Two tarkalian teas and a ractagino.' Matthew resigned.
When they were finally sat down he looked over his shoulder at the bartender.
'These bartenders, no sense of humor at all.'
Steven and Alex laughed.
'You'd think that after almost two years he'd realize that it's just a joke,' he shrugged. 'Ah well…'
'So,' Steve said in-between sips, 'how'd your preliminary go?'
'I dunno,' Matthew replied unenthusiastically, 'you know what I think of exams.'
'It's not the real thing,' the other two said in unison, laughing.
'Well,' Matthew frowned at them, 'it isn't!'
The two looked at each other in a way that made it clear this was something they heard many times before.
'I understand the need for exams for technical positions like engineering or science, but do you really need to sit a four hour paper on all the rules and regulations of Starfleet Command, or write a fifty page paper for Commander Nielsen on 'the effects of stress and fatigue on command decisions'?'
Steve motioned to speak, but stopped immediately and Matthew continued.
'I mean, really. What's useless lecturing compared to actual experience?'
'Matthew…' Steve's eyes widened.
'C'mon, haven't you ever felt that one hour in a real combat situation…' Matthew stopped suddenly, 'he's standing right behind me, isn't he?'
Steve sipped his ractagino as Matthew droned on about his usual 'practical vs. theoretical' learning philosophy. It was always the same thing. Matthew did have a lot of good points, but just as much as Matthew hated talking about holo-suites, Steve just wasn't in the mood of discussing studies in his limited free time.
He was about to try and redirect the conversation from that psychology lector Matthew always complained about when said person approached from behind Matthew.
Matthew continued to speak and Steve exchanged looks with Alex. There was a worried expression on her face. Matthew finally seemed to notice that something was wrong.
'He's standing right behind me, isn't he?' Matthew looked over his shoulder and sunk into his seat.
Steve had a very strong urge to laugh, but in the spirit of friendship, sat silently and waited as Nielsen began to speak.
'I'm glad to see you enjoy my assignments so much,' the tall blond man said with a smug look on his face. 'You just failed your psychological evaluation.'
Steve saw that sentence blow the wind out of his best friend. He opened his mouth to speak, but Alex had beaten him to it.
'What psychological evaluation?' she asked defensively, 'and for what, bruising your ego?'
Alex watched in shock as Matthew complained about the teacher that was standing right behind him.
'Shut up! Turn around!' she wanted to shout out, but Matthew kept on going. She threw a quick look at Steve, who seemed to be enjoying himself rather than worried. Finally, Matthew seemed to realize what was going on, but it was too late, Commander Nielsen had clearly heard everything.
He started talking about some failed psychological evaluation and he was taunting Matt. He was taunting him. Alex found herself responding harshly. She had let her emotions slip and immediately realized it.
'Miss Hudson, unless you want to join Mr Meyers here, please remain silent.'
Alex mumbled something inaudible and gave Matthew a resigned look.
'Right, Mr Jacobs, Miss Hudson, your first field exam will happen later today. Report to Docking bay 3 at twenty-two hundred hours for your briefing. Matthew,' he smiled evilly, 'confined to quarters.' He then turned away and, with a definite bounce in his step, strode out of the cafeteria.
'That was so unfair,' Alex said quickly, and when Steve sat in silence, nudged him hard with her elbow.
'Um, oh yeah…' Steve mumbled. 'Sorry man, if I knew he was gonna do that I'd have told you…'
'Yeah, I know,' Matthew said dejectedly. 'I'm just as surprised. I mean, I know I complain about him a lot, but he's normally a nice guy. Dunno what got into him…'
Matthew sat on his bed, looking through old books describing the Battle for Britain during the Second World War, but even that wasn't enough to calm him down. This wasn't right, he didn't do anything all that bad and while he was going to be stuck here for the next couple of hours, his classmates were going on their first field mission.
Steve had called in and told him that they were to take a small resource freighter, dock with the Moon Orbital Station, pick up the cargo of simple metals, orbit around the Moon and return home.
It wasn't anything all too difficult or exciting, but after spending almost two years in the academy in lecture halls and holo-suite simulators, he was really looking forward to an opportunity such as this.
Steve also mentioned that there would only be a single Starfleet officer along, which would have meant that, were he onboard, Matthew would have taken the role of First Officer.
'Computer. Time?' he muttered.
'Twenty-two hundred hours, thirty-six seconds.'
Matthew looked sadly out of his window in the direction of Docking Bay 3. His view was blocked by the large statue of Zefram Cochrane that stood right in the center between the North and South Wings, but he was sure that somewhere behind it, his friends and classmates were just taking off.
Why did Nielsen overreact so much? What was his problem, really? He didn't know why, but something told him that something was wrong. Well, at least that everything definitely wasn't alright in this scenario. That's it. He would just have to go and ask him. Go and ask Nielsen.
He walked over to the console in the corner of his room and pressed on the Starfleet icon in the top corner.
'Computer. Locate Commander Nielsen.'
'Unauthorized access, level one security clearance required,' replied the feminine voice of the Starfleet Academy computer.
Matthew snorted and leaned against the console with his head in resignation. Computers, unless they were the consoles on the bridge of a starship or the command console of a shuttle or fighter, were never his thing.
'If I could only remember how to do that "loop-thing" Alex told me about,' Matthew thought, feeling slightly annoyed with himself for forgetting something as useful as bypassing a level one security lock.
'I guess I'll have to venture a guess,' he thought. 'Computer. Locate Commander Nielsen's quarters,' he said, this time out loud.
'Commander Nielsen's quarters are located in South Wing, East Block, Officer Quarters B-13.'
'B-13?' Matthew thought, 'that's almost on the other side of the Academy, I hope he's there…'
He picked up his corridor pass, but then remembered that it was revoked for the night. He threw it back on his bed and left his dorm, hoping he wouldn't be caught.
He hadn't even reached the turbolift that would take him to the SA-Tram, when a young and beautiful woman with two discs on her collar stopped him.
'Yes, Lieutenant?' Matthew asked innocently. 'Do you need anything?' he added in a slightly flirtatious tone.
'Why are you wandering the corridors after curfew?' she asked coldly, completely nonplussed by the tone of his voice.
'Umm,' Matthew muttered, 'I…'
'These young Starfleet officers,' he thought, 'so career-oriented, so cold…'
'I was…' he tried again, but no good excuse came to mind. Why was it that what seemed to work so well on most girls, always fell short of Starfleet officers?
'Show me your corridor pass, Cadet,' she said even more coldly.
That was the end of his plan. He was going to have to return to his dorm and that nagging feeling that something wasn't right would have to wait.
'That's ok, Lieutenant,' an unfamiliar voice said from nearby. 'I asked Matthew for help with this console. I'm supposed to get it done by tomorrow evening, but I thought I'd do it overnight so I could go to my classes.'
For the first time, the woman smiled.
'Alright, Ryan. Don't stay up too late though.'
'How do you know my name?' Matthew asked as the two walked towards the turbolift.
'I noticed that someone was trying to enter the security lock in these dorms, then figured that it was probably the person that was out during curfew without his pass.'
'What about the console?' Matthew asked.
'Oh, I finished that hours ago,' he ran a hand through his hair nervously and only then did Matthew notice that his savior had prosthetic hands. But when he was about to comment on it, he noticed that not only his hands, but also his feet were toned differently than the rest of his skin.
The cadet, who seemed to be about the same age as Matthew, appeared to notice the prolonged looks and smiled nervously.
'It's a long story,' he said simply, and Matthew didn't ask any more, he simply extended his hand.
'I'm Matthew,' he smiled. 'But you already know that.'
'Ryan,' he returned the smile.
'So, what were you trying to get out of the computer?' Ryan asked as they took the turbolift to the tram.
'The location of one of my professors,' Matthew explained, 'I need to ask him something.'
'I take it its pretty urgent,' Ryan added and started fidgeting with the turbolift console.
'Yeah,' Matthew muttered and began to explain what had happened.
'Try it now,' Ryan said as Matthew concluded his explanation.
'Try what?' he asked confusedly.
'The override,' Ryan told him, checking his watch to see if they had enough time before they reached the tram.
'Oh. Computer. Locate Commander Nielsen.'
The console buzzed for a fraction of a second, then answered: 'Commander Nielsen is not in the Academy.'
The two looked at each other in confusion.
'Computer?' said Ryan this time, 'Is there a log of Commander Nielsen's departure from the Academy?'
The computer buzzed again, this time for about two or three seconds.
'Commander Nielsen left Starfleet Academy from Docking Bay 3 on cargo freighter Ontario at exactly twenty-two hundred hours.'
Ryan looked even more confused, but there was comprehension on Matthew's face.
'Nielsen was the sole Starfleet Officer on the field mission, so why didn't he want me along?'
'Couldn't he just hold a grudge against you?' Ryan asked, but even before he had said it, he knew that didn't make sense.
'He's a Starfleet Officer,' Matthew rationalized. Starfleet Officers just weren't that way, were they?
'You said he was acting weird though, didn't you? He couldn't possibly be a…'
'No…' Matthew interjected. 'A changeling wouldn't have made such a stupid mistake.'
The turbolift door opened and two girls in civilian clothes came in. Matthew gave Ryan a look and he immediately caught on.
'Heys,' Matthew smiled at the girls. 'You ladies up for a little thrill?' One of the girls giggled and hid her face in her long blonde hair, while the brunette whispered something in her ear.
Meanwhile, Ryan returned the lid on the console. Matthew noticed that the mechanic was slightly flustered by being in a turbolift with two good-looking girls and was starting to turn slightly pink around the cheeks.
'C'mon man,' Matthew whispered to him, 'these two chicks are our ticket to Nielsen's quarters.'
Ryan didn't seem too thrilled by the prospect, but Matthew just turned his back on him as he tried to protest.
'It'll do him some good,' he thought evilly.
'Well, we're heading for a restricted area,' Matthew said in a sly tone, 'and we need you two to get in. You up for it?'
The blonde giggled again, but the other nodded.
They took the tram two stations to the East Block and got off. Matthew hadn't been in this section of the Academy yet, but had a vague idea of how to get to B-13, the only obstacle would be the Level 3 security checkpoint at the entrance.
'Now girls,' Matthew explained, while Ryan looked anywhere but at the girls, 'we need you to go along and ask someone for directions. It doesn't matter what you ask for, just make sure they come through the checkpoint.' He pointed out the small doorway that somewhat resembled an enlarged version of those antiquated x-ray screening devices. 'Ryan here will take care of the rest,' and he clapped the man in question on the back.
'Would you stop doing that?' Ryan muttered so only Matthew could hear it.
'Alright, alright,' just make sure you keep that checkpoint open.
'Ok, ladies, just a second,' Matthew winked at them. 'We have something to do in here.'
Unsurprisingly, the blonde giggled.
'Will you stop that already?' the other girl said a little louder than she intended. 'Can't we come inside?' she added in a whisper.
'Ry?' Matthew looked over.
'As if it depends on me,' he said from the console. 'Here we go.'
The door opened.
Alex looked out of the viewscreen as the Moon Orbital Station disappeared behind the Moon. It was a spectacular sight. To finally see everything from the seat of the Conn Officer was like seeing space for the first time. It had always been her dream to serve on a starship and even though this was a small mining cruiser and an exam, it was a wonderful feeling.
A wonderful feeling marred only by the fact that Matthew couldn't be there to see it. And why, why was that idiot Nielsen captaining them on this mission?
'He isn't even in Command,' she thought, 'why'd they give a Psych lector Conn for our first mission when there are so many experienced captains to learn from on hand.'
'There's been a change in plan,' Nielsen brought Alex out of her reverie. 'We aren't returning to Starfleet Academy, but taking this freighter to Ceres in the asteroid belt.'
Alex threw a puzzled look at Steve, who stood by the door to the bridge in his Security Officer uniform.
'Sir, our orders were to orbit…' the First Officer, a broad-shouldered African American, began, but to everybody's shock Commander Nielsen drew his phaser and shot him directly in the chest.
One of the bridge officers screamed and Steve charged towards Nielsen, but the man wheeled around on him, pointing towards his heart.
'It was on stun,' he said menacingly, 'the next one won't be.'
The entire bridge was motionless except for a slowly retreating Steve.
'Now, you will do everything that I say.'
'Oh my God,' Matthew exclaimed, looking over the datapad he found under a loose board. 'He's going to take over the freighter.'
The blonde girl let out a high-pitched yelp but the other covered her mouth.
'Shut up, Irene,' she said with a definite note of fear in her voice.
'Girls, we're going to go tell someone, just stay here and keep an eye on the datapad,' Matthew said in what Alex always called his 'command-voice' and threw the pad on the bed.
'Matthew!' Ryan shouted. 'The datapad… it's erased itself. You must have triggered some sort of security device.'
'Get out!' Matthew commanded, 'Now.'
They all sped out the door just as it shut and sealed itself. The two girls ran down the corridor, but there was no time to follow them. Matthew and Ryan went directly to Ops.
'Let me get this straight,' Admiral Andrews, head of Starfleet Academy said in his usual calm, but emotionless voice. 'You want me to believe that one of the longest-serving professors in this establishment has kidnapped a group of our students on their field mission, with no evidence whatsoever?'
'There was a datapad,' Matthew implored.
'I take it by the past tense that you don't have it anymore.'
'Right, it got erased,' Matthew hastened. 'Please sir, you have to believe us.'
It was hard to say 'us' when Ryan hadn't even spoken a word yet. He just stood next to Matthew and stared at the floor.
'Look,' Andrews said in what Matthew understood to be a 'this is final' tone. 'I'm willing to overlook the fact that you were out when you were confined to quarters, bypassed level one and level three security checkpoints and broke into a senior officer's quarters, but I wont allow for accusations of this kind in a Starfleet institution. Now return to your quarters.' It was clear that the matter wasn't open for discussion, so Matthew turned around and left.
'You could have supported me you know,' he said to Ryan when they were out. 'Or do you also think that I made up the whole thing out of spite for Commander Nielsen?'
Ryan didn't answer, but Matthew knew what was going on in his mind.
'Look, I know you didn't see the pad, but it was there…. I saw it,' he needed someone to believe him. 'I'm NOT making this up.'
Ryan opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
'Whatever,' Matthew said angrily. 'I'm going after them, whether you help me or not,' and he turned around to leave.
'Wait. I believe you,' he paused. 'It's just… I'm afraid of flying.'
'What?' Matthew turned around, but the look on Ryan's face didn't lie.
'You can't understand…' Ryan began but Matthew stopped him.
'I think I'm starting to,' he said softly and motioned with his eyes towards Ryan's prosthetics.
Ryan gave him a sad look that confirmed everything.
'You don't really have to come along, but I need you to help me get a shuttle.'
'Communications,' Admiral Andrews commanded, 'Get me the freighter Ontario.'
'Yes sir,' the Communications Officer responded. 'On screen.'
'Admiral Andrews, what a pleasant surprise,' Nielsen smiled out of the viewscreen. 'is there anything wrong?'
'Just a routine check,' the Admiral responded.
Alex exchanged quick looks with Steve but it was clear that he, like her, also had no idea how to get out of the situation. She could possibly short-circuit one of the bridge computers, but could she hit him? And more importantly, would it even be enough to knock him out. What if he started shooting?
She heard a beep on the console next to hers and the girl sitting in front of it gave her a worried look. They were being hailed and it was clear that the girl was afraid of whether she should tell Nielsen or sit silently as commanded.
'Captain?' Alex said in as much a neutral voice as she could muster.
'I said….' He began, but then he noticed the hail. 'In my office.'
The dark figure surveyed Nielsen from the viewscreen and he could almost feel it scanning him. It didn't say anything.
'I've done what you wanted,' Nielsen said, in a scared voice. 'Now I want my payment.'
'Fifty bars of Gold-pressed Latinum will be waiting for you upon delivery,' replied an electronic voice.
'Sir, we are receiving another hail,' Alex called from the bridge.
Nielsen looked at the viewscreen one final time and returned to the bridge.
'It's Starfleet, sir,' Alex said, putting emphasis on the last word.
'On screen,' he commanded. 'If anyone even tries to warn them, I'll start shooting.'
Matthew looked over to the other side of the cargo bay, where Ryan was giving him a big 'thumbs-up'. He pressed his hand on the scanner next to the hatch and it buzzed similarly to the way it did when they had bypassed the level one security clearance. The door opened and Matthew waved a 'good-bye' to Ryan, but smiled when the shy mechanic ran over and slid through it after him.
They climbed into the shuttle and Matthew immediately sat in the command seat.
'Do you know anything about flying?' he asked.
'Sorry,' Ryan bit his lip.
'That's ok,' he said encouragingly, 'just sit over there and enjoy the ride.'
'And close my eyes,' Ryan muttered.
'Or that,' Matthew laughed a bit. 'Releasing docking clamps.'
They felt a soft click and then the computer said, 'Docking clamps released.'
'Aft landing thrusters, on.' Matthew continued. 'Computer. Prepare to fire impulse engines as soon as we take off, accelerate to full impulse speed as quickly as possible.'
The computer beeped a confirmation and Matthew looked over to Ryan for the last time. 'Hang on.'
The shuttle shook slightly, but then rose into the air in one fluid motion. As soon as it was airborne it began accelerating incredibly and were it not for the gravity control, the two cadets would have faced 'G's of lethal strength.'
The computer in front of Matthew shone as he received a hail from Starfleet. He cut the communications immediately and went to red alert.
'Shields up,' he said quickly, 'prepare starboard thrusters for a full strength burst.'
There was a moment of silence as they waited for the tractor beam that would inevitably come. The sensors flicked as a power surge ran through the main complex and Matthew confirmed the order. Just as the tractor beam extended, the shuttle shot to the left, evading it only by centimeters.
'As soon as we clear orbit, plot a course for the freighter Ontario,' Matthew sank back into the seat, while something that sounded awfully similar to someone throwing up came from the back.
'We lost them sir,' the Operations Officer said, looking down at his console.
'Dammit,' the Admiral hit one of his hand-rests.
'There are currently no starship in the system that can intercept. Should we notify Starfleet Command?'
The Admiral didn't respond.
'Sir?'
'That shuttle is unarmed and it's not getting away at Impulse speeds. Something isn't right on that freighter. I could see it on the faces of the Cadets. That wasn't fear of their first mission, or of bad performance.'
'What do you suggest, Admiral?'
'Call in the nearest starship. Notify them of the situation. Make sure they are out of scanner range in case the Ontario's crew is indeed held hostage. If it tries to leave the system, intercept and follow standard Starfleet hostage situation protocols. If the boy is merely causing trouble, we will soon know and will send them new orders. Meanwhile, keep a careful watch on the situation.'
'We'll be there soon,' Matthew told Ryan.
'Computer, calculate hull integrity of freighter type KO-110 and compare with Type 9 Federation shuttle.'
'Freighter integrity is 2.37 of Type 9 shuttle.'
'Computer, calculate hull integrity of KO-110 freighter's weakest area of ten meters squared and compare with Type 9 shuttle.'
'Weakest point at coordinates 12.3.112 is 0.79 of Type 9 shuttle.'
'Divert all available power and backup life systems to forward shields.'
Commander Nielsen was getting nervous. Steve could see it in the way he kept changing targets with his phaser. If only he stood a little bit closer, he could tackle him.
'So much for the beauty of the practical,' Steve remembered Matthew's speech, 'at least simulators can't fly you away…'
He heard another familiar beep, but this time it wasn't the communications panel.
'What is it?' Nielsen barked.
'A Federation shuttle is approaching us at full impulse, sir,' the Cadet serving as Tactical Officer replied.
'Hail the shuttle,' Nielsen commanded.
'The shuttle isn't responding to our hails.'
'Dammit,' Nielsen cursed.
'Should I send out a warning signal?' Alex asked, manning both the Conn and Ops Stations, while the other girl stood next to her nervously.
'You'll do no such thing!' he shouted. 'Starfleet would catch that signal as well. Prepare to fire phasers at the shuttle.'
'What?' Alex exclaimed.
Nielsen shot around and pointed his phaser at her. 'And if you miss…' he paused, 'I wont.'
'They're targeting their phasers on us,' Matthew said in an automated manner he had picked up in months of simulators.
'We're in phaser range, brace for impact.'
The shuttle shook and a terminal on Matthew's left exploded. He moved his arm quickly, but not fast enough as the discharge burned the outside of his hand.'
'Shields at eleven percent,' the computer said as calmly as if it were announcing the cantina menu for the day.
Alter course to twelve mark three mark one-hundred and eleven. Now.'
The shuttle jerked to the right. 'On screen.'
The last thing Matthew saw before he passed out was the nearing cargo bay of the freighter.
'We got it,' the Tactical and Weapons officers said in unison. 'Still coming.'
'Fire again!' Nielsen screamed.
'Can't, the phaser capacitor has short-circuited. This freighter wasn't designed for combat sir.'
'It's heading straight for us.' Alex was now standing right next to Nielsen, phaser or no phaser.
'Wh…. I….' Nielsen stuttered.
'Brace for impact,' Alex commanded.
The bridge shook only slightly as the small shuttle collided with the underside of freighter.
'Status report,' Alex took the initiative.
'We have a hull breach in the docking bay, warp stability is normal,' came over the intercom from Engineering. 'Plasma fields are in place.'
'Back to your stations,' Nielsen snapped. 'Turn on the intercom.'
Ryan was sitting quietly next to his mother on the bridge of the USS Wyoming. He had begged her to let him come for weeks, and now he got his chance. Suddenly the bridge turned red and his mother got to her feet.
She was shouting something he didn't understand.
'Mommy,' he cried. 'What's wrong?'
He looked up to the viewscreen and saw a giant rock before being flung forward and slamming into one of the consoles. A large slab of metal was falling on top of him and he closed his eyes.
When he opened them he was looking along the floor of the bridge at the limp from of his mother.
'Mommy,' he screamed. 'Mommy.'
He tried to get up, but nothing happened. He tried to move his hands and push the object that was lying across him, still nothing.
A light flashed and Ryan looked across the floor at a similarly limp Matthew.
'No, not again,' the horrible memory was pushed out of his mind as he forced one of his prosthetic limbs to hoist him to his feet. There were flames all around him and the whole forward section of the shuttle was destroyed.
He supported Matthew from under his armpits and drew the phaser Matthew had handed him earlier. He fired at the debris ahead and the remains of the shuttle's front glowed red before passing out of phase.
He pulled Matthew out of the shuttle and into the cargo bay.
'Wake up, Matthew, wake up,' flashes of similar memories screamed at Ryan and he fell to his knees. 'No, not again, no… please.'
Matthew coughed and rolled over. 'We did it,' he smiled weakl, but before Ryan could join the intercom sounded.
'Crew of the shuttle. If you can hear this message, I order you to lay down whatever weapons you may have and surrender to the bridge.'
'Nielsen…' Matthew muttered.
'If you do not surrender in five minutes, I will start shooting the hostages.'
'Scan the cargo bay for survivors,' Nielsen ordered, but his voice shook in fear now. It was clear that he hadn't planned things to go this way.
'Two survivors, Starfleet Cadets.'
'What?' Nielsen wheeled around. 'ID?'
'Meyers, Matthew and Moore, Ryan.'
Alex stared at Steve in shock, but what surprised them the most was the shock on Nielsen's face.
'Matthew Meyers, are you sure?' his voice was weak and pained.
'Positive.'
'Are the escape pods functional?' he asked.
'This freighter doesn't have any escape pods, sir. It is an old model.'
'No way to get him off,' Nielsen whispered just barely audibly.
Alex looked confusedly at Steve again.
'Turn on the intercom,' he snapped.
'Intercom on.'
'Matthew? I'm coming down to the cargo bay, don't do anything stupid.'
'You,' he pointed at Steve, 'come with me.'
Matt stood in the center of the cargo bay, trying hard to stay still and stop himself from pacing. He knew he'd probably start shaking, but had to control himself. He couldn't show any sign of nervousness or Nielsen might suspect what they had planned for him.
The turbolift door opened and Matt's stomach made a flip when he saw Steve exit it with Nielsen standing behind him with a phaser.
'Why is he here?' he asked in as much a neutral tone as he could muster.
'To make sure you don't do anything stupid.'
'I just flew a shuttle at full speed right into a cargo freighter. As far as stupid goes, I'd say I…' but Nielsen interrupted him.
'Cut the cheek Matt. We've got to discuss your options.'
'I'm not going anywhere without my friends,' Matt snapped.
'Don't do this Matt,' tried the commander, but there was a definite pleading tone in his voice.
Matthew noticed that Ryan had already sneaked up behind Nielsen and was about to fire, but then the man turned slightly and Matthew panicked for the first time.
'Stop calling me Matt, like you know me. I know you're not Professor Nielsen.'
'You need to get off this ship Matt,' Nielsen implored.
'Look, just stop,' Matthew shouted, 'What is this all about? Why our class, why me?'
Nielsen was about to answer when Ryan fired. The man was still holding the phaser but for some reason he didn't fire. He slowly sank to his knees. 'I'm sorry,' he muttered.
'What?' Matthew looked at him confused.
'I didn't want you to be involved,' he said even more quietly.
'What are you taking about?' Matthew leaned closer to him.
'I had my orders, I tried…. I really tried,' he coughed and slipped further down.
'What's this got to do with me?'
'Nothing… your father…' he could barely form the words.
'WHAT!?' Matthew shouted. 'What do you know of my father? Why did you do all of this?'
'I was just supposed to deliver… didn't want to hurt anyone.'
'What do you think they would have done with them when you handed them over?'
'No… not…' he took a final labored breath, mumbled, 'metal,' and collapsed.
Steven jumped sideways when he heard the phaser blast, but when he looked around, Nielsen was still aiming his phaser at him. He could fire, but didn't. Why?
He started saying something to Matt, he couldn't hear what but it was clearly upsetting his best friend.
'WHAT!?' he heard Matt shout. 'What do you know of my father? Why did you do all of this?' but the man just muttered a few more words and fell, clearly dead.
All of the tension that had built up in him during the flight relaxed as he realized the danger was over, but a strange new knot had formed. What was going on with Matthew's father?
He had hardly ever heard his best friend talk of his parents and while he knew his mother had died shortly after Matt was born, he knew almost nothing about Matt's father.
Everyone clapped as Matthew, Steven and Ryan came to the bridge, Ryan disappearing again through the door with the words 'I'll be in engineering,' and a nervous smile.
'He's a little shy,' Matthew said to Steven and they both laughed.
Alex ran up and the three best friends all hugged each other.
'Captain?' Steve smiled at Matthew.
He only looked surprised for a fraction of a second, 'Stations,' he said in his ringing command voice.
He walked over to the center of the bridge and sat down in the Captain's seat and even though Nielsen's hints about his father troubled him, a smile covered his face. He was in command of a real ship for the first time.
'Helm. Set course for Starfleet Academy. Warp One'
'Course laid in,' came from his left as Alex gave him a wink.
'Energize.'