Star Trek: Omega Force
Episode #104 (Episode 2): "Some Other World"
By William "Blissey" Raymer
Based on Star Trek Created by Gene Roddenberry
Part 1 of Team Chipmunk: The Next Generation vs. Star Trek: Omega Force
Teaser (Prologue)
Captain's Log, Stardate 57502.5.
The Yagami has entered orbit of Romulus for a diplomatic escort mission: we are returning the Romulan citizens that we rescued during the recent hostage crisis on Magor VI-B.
In addition, Lieutenant Nielsen is to be awarded the Hiren Cluster, the Romulan Empire's highest military medal, for her gallantry in defeating the renegade Klingon warrior D'Rak and rescuing the hostages.
In the Yagami's main transporter room, Lieutenant Irina Nielsen watched as Captain Adrian Dorsey, Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Batali and Romulan Ambassador Kharvan strode into the room.
"Well, aren't you an eager beaver, Lieutenant," Adrian said. Ambassador Kharvan cocked an eyebrow.
"Eager… what?" Kharvan said. "The Captain is just saying that Lieutenant Nielsen is excited and arrived early, Ambassador," Nicholas said.
"I see, Commander," Kharvan said. "It seems that I still have a lot to learn about human idioms."
"Ki Baratan Control has sent us the coordinates for their central transporter," the transporter operator said as Adrian, Nicholas, Irina and Kharvan stepped onto the transporter pad.
"Energize," Adrian said. He, Nicholas, Irina and Kharvan dissolved.
Admiral Tomalak, chief of the Romulan fleet, watched as Kharvan and the group from the Yagami dissolved.
"Welcome back, old friend," Tomalak said. "Thank Erebus that you are safe."
"Thanks to these honourable people," Kharvan said. "May I introduce Captain Adrian Dorsey, Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Batali and Lieutenant Irina Nielsen of the Federation Starship Yagami."
"Welcome to Romulus, brave ones," Tomalak said. "Especially to you, Lieutenant Nielsen. I have heard so much about you."
"And I about you, Admiral," Irina said. "Your confrontations with Captain Picard are legendary."
"How is Jean-Luc these days? Still in command of the Enterprise?" Tomalak said. "Yes, sir," Irina said.
"That is good," Tomalak said. "Let me escort you on a tour of Ki Baratan, then on to the Senate."
A military ground car approached where Tomalak and the Yagami contingent stood. As soon as they were seated and secured, the ground car took off.
Later that day, Irina stood on one side of the door leading into the cavernous Senate chamber as Praetor Tal'Aura began to address the gathered Senators.
"Senators, recently, our ambassadorial party on the second moon of Magor VI was taken captive by forces led by a renegade Klingon," she began.
"Even more, a hard-working mining ship and its crew were also taken. However, our Federation allies came to our aid. One officer in particular risked her life in rescuing our citizenry," Tal'Aura continued.
"Despite centuries of antagonism and distrust between us, we of the Romulan Senate are gathered here today to honour a Federation Starfleet officer with our highest honour. I therefore order that Lieutenant Irina Nielsen of the Federation Starship Yagami be allowed into this chamber," Tal'Aura finished.
The guards opened the door, allowing Irina to step into the chamber. The gathered Senators silently watched as Irina stood in front of Tal'Aura and her councilors.
"Lieutenant Irina Nielsen, for conspicuous gallantry in defense of Romulan citizens and materials, I award you the Hiren Cluster," Praetor Tal'Aura said.
A councilor pinned the Hiren Cluster medallion to Irina's uniform tunic. "I invite you to address the Senate," Tal'Aura said.
"Thank you, Praetor," Irina said. She then turned to address the Senators. "I am honoured to join Captain Jean-Luc Picard as one of only two Starfleet officers to stand in this spot on a sanctioned basis."
As fate had it, Irina stood in the dead center of the Senate chamber—on the exact half-way point of the map depicting the Neutral Zone between Federation and Romulan space.
"I hope to live in a generation where the Neutral Zone will be abolished and that Federation and Romulan citizens, materials and ideals can be exchanged freely and openly. If my recent actions can help bring this dream to reality, then so be it," Irina finished. "Jolan tru."
Ambassador Kharvan and Admiral Tomalak rose to their feet and began to clap. Other members of the Senate and the Yagami away team followed suit.
The next day, Irina sat at the Helm as the Yagami got ready to begin the journey to Starbase 115.
"All stations report ready to depart, Captain," Nicholas said. "Very well," Adrian said. "Mr. Nielsen, set course for Starbase 115, Warp 5. Engage as soon as we clear Romulan home system space." "Aye, sir," Irina said.
The image on the viewscreen shifted as the Yagami exited orbit of Romulus. As it did, Selevra ch'Vasnr reported from Tactical, "Sir, incoming hail from the Romulan mining vessel Narada."
"On screen, Adrian said. Commander Nero, captain of the Narada, appeared on the Yagami's viewscreen. "Captain Dorsey, before you go, I would like to, again, thank you and your crew for saving us," he said.
"It is like I said, Nero," Irina said. "We would have done the same for any of our allies." "All the same, Irina, thank you," Nero said. "Narada, out."
The viewscreen image switched back to the exterior view from the Yagami's sensors: the twin planets Romulus and Remus disappearing as the Yagami accelerated away. Then, stars stretched into rainbow lines as the ship entered warp.
An hour later, the Yagami shook with an unknown impact. "What's going on?" Adrian said. "Captain, she's not answering the Helm!" Irina said. "We have a warp drive malfunction!"
Suddenly, everything went white.
::TBC::
