Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at works/11046885.
Rating: Mature Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Category: Gen Fandom: Star Trek The Next Generation Character: Captain Picard, Commander Ryker, Data, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Lt. Worf, Gordi Additional Tags: Species 8472 Stats: Published: 2017-05-30 Chapters: 7/14 Words: 2936 Species 8472
by Tdelicot
Summary
The U.S.S. Enterprise with Captain Picard once again meets up with the species.
Chapter 1
It's been two years since the Enterprise had encounter the species 8472. And when they did with battling the creatures was a total nightmare both for the captain and the entire crew.
Even though Star Fleet Command wasn't all too convince that the species had disappeared during the battle on the planet 1245 just outside the Orion system. Very few ships had visited the planet since it wasn't worth a thing for anyone, including the Orions.
But yet the species 8472 had thought it was worth hiding out from there enemies, until they were ready to make there move on trying to destroy the Federation and Star Fleet Command. As of right now some two years later there was over 1000 of the species having to be hiding out under ground building deep with-in the planet's surface.
Three days earlier...
The Orion vessel Julian with a crew of 20 were sent out to investigate the area of the planet 1245. There orders were to check out the planet for any type of problems of issues for any under ground tremors with the ocean waters.
Usually at this time of the year. Volcanic action would start up on the bottom of the ocean floor, and as to why the science vessel was sent in the first place.
Captain Vorkin coming from his quarters after checking with his second-in-command on whether or not there has been any issues. "When are we due to arrive into the planet's orbit?" Speaking in his own language instead of using the standard English.
Second-in-Command Tork was able to answer the question quickly since he just came from the bridge, "We should be entering its orbit in 15 minutes without any type of issues Captain Vorkin."
"And what about the vessel holding the slave girls?" Captain Vorkin asked the questions before heading for the bridge.
Shaking his head with thinking about the Orion slave girls. "The vessel will be entering the system with-in the next 48 hours in order to make the exchange."
"Excellent news. I can't wait to get my hands on them after months of being out into space looking for space garbage of sorts." Captain Vorkin says with sarcasm with his statement.
Meanwhile down below the planet surface of 1245.
The species 8472 were scanning the outer atmosphere while noticing the Orion vessel heading for the inner layer of the planet.
There was some what confusion coming from the alien species 8472 on what they should be doing. But when the one in charge of the group. He had advised that they should destroy the vessel no matter what might happen in the near future.
"Fire all laser weapons on my mark now!" Darius says to his main gunnery in charge of the laser weapons. "Fire...all batteries." He ordered with looking at the main computer view screen to catch sight of the Orion blowing up to pieces for when the laser weapons came up from the planet to destroy the vessel.
Chapter 2
Just after the death of Data, while everyone having to be in the Captain's ready room to mourn there dear friend.
Commander William Riker couldn't do anything for Deanna Troi. Since had taken his lost the hardest. It would have to take some time for everyone to get over it with Data having to sacrifice his life for the most part.
And the only way that any one was going to stop remembering is by having to be staying busy with picking up the pieces.
Months later with the refit of the Enterprise. Captain Jean-Luc Picard had been given orders to begin investigating the Orion solar system due to several disappearances of Orion slave merchant vessels, including the recent vessel having recently visited the planet 1245 and winding up exploding in the atmosphere.
Captain Picard having to be in his quarters after having a early morning breakfast with his wife Dr. Beverly Crusher. She had advised her husband that her Son Wesley will be coming back to Earth after being assigned to the U.S.S. Horizon as a part-time navigator/science specialist.
Its been almost a year since she and Captain Picard were able to see Wesley with the start of his assignment to the U.S.S. Horizon. Just prior to the assignment to the Federation vessel. He had spent almost six months traveling with the traveler in order to help him to understand why he's here in the first place.
As soon as Picard was ready to leave for the bridge. Commander William Riker had paged the captain that he had a priority message from Star Fleet Command Admiral Briggs of this sector.
"Admiral Briggs what's going on for you to be contacting me and the Enterprise?" He asked with sitting down in front of his communications terminal in his quarters.
"We have trouble Jean-Luc with another Orion vessel being blown to bits in orbit of the planet 1245. Rumors have it from non Federation vessels under cover just be that the species 8472 just be back into the picture once again. And it's going to be your crew, yourself and the Enterprise to find out the reason why and why they are back to cause a war with anyone that gets into there way." He responded with saying a mouth full with the captain.
"Are you serious Tom? Do you know how long it's been since we last encounter the species?" He said with taking in a deep breath into his lungs. Especially when the last time they used the human form of the Captain's friend that was a gardener at San Francisco Bay, Star Fleet Academy.
"Yes, I do know Jean-Luc. And if these creatures still remember the last outing with you and the Enterprise. They will probably be using that very same human form to speak with you depending on what goes down with the species."
"Well if this is the case. It's going to be to my advantage since I already know on how they think for when it comes to certain situations." He replied with rubbing the back of his neck from the all of a sudden tension.
"Ok Captain. Just keep me abreast to the situation. Star Fleet out." Its at this time the view screen goes blank after the transmission had ended.
"Damn!" Captain Jean-Luc cursed for the first in such a long time.
Chapter 3
Just after speaking with the Admiral. Captain Picard knew what he had to do with informing his crew about the mission. Currently he was having reservations for when it comes to the species 8472.
In his judgement to a point. They are almost something like the Borg at times. Even though in the species case is the fact they are shape changers. And you never know just who your talking to for when it comes to human beings.
Jean-Luc decided to call for a briefing into the conference room asking for the following members to attend the meeting. Opening up the intercom throughout the entire vessel. "Attention all hands. Will the following crew members please come to the conference room on deck 18th right away. Commander Riker, Counselor Troi, Lt. Elllington(The only Federation Shape Changer serving on the Enterprise), Dr. Beverly Crusher, and Lt. Jerry Mathews (Language specialist).
Taking a moment to gather himself before heading for the briefing. It was at this time he was thinking a great deal about his wife during this type of situation. One thing for sure, she is going to be worried the moment we step onto the planet's surface to look for the 8472 species.
Commander William Riker was on the bridge at the time of the announcement. Before leaving the bridge. He had to be sure that the bridge stations were covered once he was able to leave for the briefing.
It was during this particular time Commander Riker had to think that it must be really serious. In order for the captain to be calling for the briefing at this time. Since he was going in blind for the briefing. He needed to ask Deanna Troi on whether she could pick something up from his emotions.
After leaving the bridge. He needed to be quick with catching up with Counselor Troi before walking inside the conference room. "Deanna...wait up!" He hollered to get her attention before moving inside.
"What's wrong Will?" She asked with a soft touch with her question.
"I need to asked on whether your been able to pick up anything emotional from the captain and this briefing." He responded with moving in closer to her to hear the answer.
"Matter in fact Commander Riker, the captain is emotionally upset at the fact that Star Fleet Command is sending this vessel to find out why Species 8472 is causing trouble once again." She says on a neutral tone of voice, so that she doesn't get herself all upset over this entire matter.
"OMG Deanna...this is just terrible for this to happen now for this species to show up now." He exhaled with a deep gulp of air into his lungs. "We have better get inside before the captain arrives." He says with taking the hand of Counselor Troi inside the conference room.
Chapter 4
Meanwhile inside the under ground base for species 8472. Darius in human form was checking out the entire level for where the laser weapons are stored. Along with his people are getting together a stolen Orion merchant vessel taken weeks ago.
They were having to get the vessel into shape for when they decide to venture out into space, and do battle with any one that gets into there way.
Darius walks over to the engineers working on fixing a problem with navigation inside of the vessel. He asked them on how long its going to take. "How much longer?" He asked with looking at the computer terminal relays.
Tomilson having to be next to the computer terminal. "Maybe another two more days Darius, otherwise at this time I can't guarantee anything for the moment."
"Do you need extra men to work with you on this particular problem Tomilson?" He asked with getting up from his seat to head back outside to inspect the rest of the vessel.
Tomilson had to think about it before giving his answer. "We could use a few more to help with fixing the issues that needs to be solved. Otherwise we are getting close to solving the navigation problem."
"Ok, I will send them over to report to you and show them on what is needed to be done on the Orion vessel."
"Yes, Sir." Tomilson responded to his question while going over to the other engineer with a couple of questions about another problem with the coolant system. "Damn!" He cursed in the English language along with other few choice words for the engineer.
Tomilson was angry and he needed to vent his anger emotion. So instead of having the engineer deal with the coolant system issue. Taking out his side weapon on his human form. Tomilson fired his laser weapon to kill the human male form to disappeared totally from the blast.
It was at this particular moment the alarms had gone off from inside of the area. Anyone that was in the area of the Orion vessel came running including Darius in his human form. Darius was carrying his weapon in his hand to find out what the hell happened.
He doesn't need any more problems...
Chapter Five
"What the hell do you think your doing?" Darius screams at the total idiot for shooting the engineer. There were too many of the 8472 species around now after the alert. And it was up to Darius to calm down the total situation.
Tomilson wasn't really paying attention to his boss in charge of this group. Darius just couldn't understand as to why he simply killed him without a real reason.
Since they all have been secluded deep down into the complex of this planet. This wasn't the first time the members have been acting up with strange events happening to them without just cause.
Darius having asked his medical doctors to check into the cause of these uprisings. So far the doctors haven't been able to come up with as reason as to why and what causing it in the first place.
Any rate Darius tried again to ask Tomilson as to why. He was able to get very close to him, since Tomilson moved back from him like a frightened child. Darius could basically see that something physical and mental was happening to his human form. He was starting to shake apart directly in front of him.
"Security...move everyone out from this area until we know exactly just what the hell is going on here." Darius said to his four man security force to push back everyone watching the scene in front of them.
There was nothing left of the human form, while the form of Species 8472 started to break into pieces as well. "Darius, we need to remove the remains to the medical bay and have the doctors to do an autopsy on what is left."
"Good idea Johan. Start removing the pieces right away. While you have the rest of your group start removing everyone from the area. Its going have to be closed off until further notice."
"Yes, Sir right away with your orders." While he calls over his group to begin with the clean up and moving everyone away from the scene.
Chapter 6
Lt. Ellington was shown the photo of what species 8472 looks like. Since the Lt. will be changing into that form while on the small merchant vessel borrow from Star Fleet Command.
Both ensign Jerry Mathews having to changed into an Orion with surgery done by Dr. Beverly Crusher. The both rebels will be running back and forth of the Orion system trying to buy there way into the Species trade route.
Every day using a special coded message to Star Fleet and the Enterprise. They will be sending up to date information on there probable location. Only a hand few of crew members on board the Enterprise knew what Lt. Ellington and ensign Jerry Mathews were up to. It's been a weeks since they had left for there under cover operation.
Dr. Beverly Crusher had made breakfast for herself and her husband Jean-Luc after a quick work out in the gym. While the Enterprise has been traveling back & forth of the Orion solar system.
"Jean-Luc its been a week since you heard from them. Have you gotten anything from them today with being a week now." As she goes to sip her tea while he was coming in from the bedroom changed into his uniform.
"I asked them to set up that schedule until some time today they are supposed to send there first coded message." He says with walking over to her seat to give her a quick passionate kiss.
"Well then Jean-Luc, its going to be interesting when they do send that message. It must be frightening to be in that situation with changing form." She responded with stating the fact since it was her that worked on the both of them to adjust.
"No doubt Beverly. Since it was mostly a volunteer mission with asking the both of them after ending the briefing last week." He moves over to the table that was housing the tea pot and his favorite cup to drink out of. He's able to pour himself a generous amount to drink slowly.
"Lets just hope soon we will be hearing from them. The longer they wait, the worst it will get for them to send out that coded message." She said with looking at the time on the wall-clock. The both of them needed to finish up with there tea or else they will be late for both of there shifts.
"I agree. By the way Beverly, we need to start moving before Commander Riker starts calling for us."
Chapter 7
It was taking a few moments for the entire group to take in the entire information about the mission.
Otherwise it was Dr. Beverly Crusher started with a question. "Captain, if and when we find these species. What are we supposed to do with them once we either find or capture?" She says to get the captain's attention and everyone else.
Taking in a deep breath in his seat, as he looks around the conference table looking for answers to the questions. "Good question Dr. Crusher. Star Fleet Command says to quote to find them first, while second is to find out why those Orion vessels are disappearing."
"And why to have Lt. Ellington and Ensign Mathews involved for when they have never even heard of the species." Crusher responded with the question to the relative new members to the Enterprise.
Lt. Ellington felt riled a little with the doctor. "Dr. Crusher, just because we don't know a thing about species 8472. It doesn't mean we can't do our jobs properly for the Federation and Captain Picard."
"Thanks Lt. I highly appreciate it your kind words. Otherwise we need to have everyone understand the nature of this mission. These species are no doubt highly dangerous and very smart for scoping out there enemies. Understand?"
It was at this particular moment for when everyone at the conference table was able to nod there heads in unison.
Ten minutes later...
Captain Jean-Luc Picard having everyone leave the conference room accept Lt. Ellington and Ensign Jerry Mathews. He needed to go over the details involving the Under Cover operation.
Chapter 8 up next