Star Trek Discovery: Fan Fiction

The Mercenary:

During the height of the Federation & Klingon war; a botched rescue mission compels the Discovery to retain a private military contractor who's notoriously deadly, flamboyant, & expensive.

By Corwin Black

Day: 388 of the War of the Binary Stars.

USS Discovery NCC-1031 in route to Earth.

The Discovery's medical bay is a panorama of phaser burns, severed limbs, and the grave sight of brave Marines and Star Feet officers and crew who have succumbed to their wounds, and being prepared for burial.

In a different part of the Discovery, littered in a cargo bay are the empty cots which were set up in the days prior to accommodate one hundred and eighty six prisoners of war; most of whom were now dead, being tortured, or worse.

The full sick bay and the empty refuge center was the consequences of "Operation Eagle Talon"; a colossal failure at a rescue mission.

The grim mood that permeated throughout the entire Discovery was like a winter evening at the Antarctica research center.

Captain Lorca sat at the head of the senior officer's conference table; and the grim looks on the senior officer's faces told a comprehensive story. They were headed for Earth. Admiral Janeway had recalled the Discovery so that he could debrief the entire botched mission himself.

"We did everything wrong people. The enemy was ahead of us every step of the way." Said Commander Landry.

Commander Saru interrupted, "Instead of stating the obvious, I have explored a new option to acquire an asset that will make further mistakes far less likely and greatly increase the lethality and effectiveness of future rescue missions."

Michael looked at Saru with concern, but not curiosity.

"Go ahead." Captain Lorca stated, perhaps some constructive planning was finally going to enter into this entire fiasco.

Saru continued, "I have contacted a very capable private military contractor who specializes in rescue missions, among a great many other scenarios of a 'direct action' variety."

"What do you mean 'direct action'?" asked Tilly.

Lorca answered, "It means that Commander Saru's friend is very good at killing bad guys."

"He is" confirmed Michael. She turned her questions to Saru, "Are you sure that Baron will work well with the crew?"

Landry interrupted, "He won't. If we're talking about the infamous Baron SouthPaw then he'll be a disaster." she said to Lorca, and no other person in the room.

"Saru, I get the impression that you and Michael have worked with Baron before, what is your assessment?"

"Baron SouthPaw's standard operating procedure during any 'direct action' mission is to use deadly force. However, his collateral damage ratio is remarkably low. His success rate is astonishingly high." stated Saru succinctly.

"I agree Captain." stated Michael. "He is not a team player however. If you put him in charge of a mission he will give orders to anyone he pleases; regardless of their rank and will expect you to do it without question."

"He knows what he is good at." deduced Lorca. "He is good at killing the enemy."

"But he does not enjoy it." stated Saru, "He actually has an insane sense of humor."

"He plays one hell of an axe." added Michael.

Stamets understood the reference to 'axe' it is what an electric guitar player called his rock n roll guitar, especially a Fender Stratocaster. Stamets quoted one of his favorite songs, "Straight through the bedroom by the suitcase on the left, you'll find my favorite axe." It was from Pink Floyd's album "The Wall'.

The look of bewilderment came across Lorca's face, which was actually unusual.

"The point is moot," said Stamets, "mercenaries are expensive and this one in particular is v-e-r-y expensive."

"How expensive?" asked Lorca. He was speaking only to Saru.

"The contract under discussion is to retain his services for a single standard tour of duty." Saru stated, trying to put Baron's large fee in context before dropping the bad news.

"A whole year?" asked Lorca almost in disbelief.

"Indeed." responded Saru, "Even though the Federation doesn't use money in the traditional sense his fee includes a fifty bricks of gold pressed latinum down payment, and an additional one hundred bricks over the next twelve months.

"I'm surprised; that's actually not to awfully expensive." stated Stamets, he was mistaken however.

Michael corrected his math, "His fee is in bricks, not slips."

Lieutenant Stamets, realizing his error, quickly redid his math. "Good Lord that's extortion."

"It's outright robbery when you factor in what his expenses will be; which are always far more than their initial fee." stated Landry, with a generalization about mercenaries.

Saru corrected the false assumptions about Baron SouthPaw's fees, "He doesn't charge expenses. That's why his upfront fee seems so astronomically expensive."

"Since when do money hungry mercs not keep expense accounts?" said Landry sarcastically.

Michael shed light on Baron SouthPaw's curious practice, "The Federation is notorious about shafting payment to anyone and anything that they outsource. This keeps it simple."

Lorca quietly thought to himself. "Hire him."

Commander Saru accessed his computer screen and spoke to Captain Lorca, "The down payment has been transferred to his Orion Trade Bank account. He should contact us shortly to arrange a rendezvous."

"Excellent." stated Lorca. Stamets and Landry were clearly not happy but silent about their 'unhappiness'.

"Bridge to Commander Saru." said the intercom.

"Go ahead Bridge."

"There is an Edward VanHalen on a secure channel asking for you specifically. He had the proper pass code." said the communications officer.

Captain Lorca looked intrigued, he had heard that name before, but he couldn't place it right away. Lieutenant Stamets knew the name and said, "Is this a joke?"

"Audio only." stated Saru and he spoke before the person making the call could announce himself. "Baron good to see you are as prompt as ever." stated Saru with a great deal of satisfaction.

Landry interrupted, "Mr. VanHalen please make sure you have a complete manifest when you arrive on Discovery. There are no exceptions." Stamets stated to the Mercenary like a dog fighting to become the alpha. She didn't realize that she was now the butt of a very nasty joke.

Captain Lorca then realized where he had heard the name Edward, or Eddie, VanHalen. He couldn't contain a smile that stretched from ear to ear; a very unusual sight from the Captain of the USS Discovery. Landry took note of the Captains smile. "Mr. VanHalen," stated Lorca; barely able to contain his laughter, "I look forward to making your acquaintance. The fact that the galaxy's most notorious mercenary is friends with my overly cautious first officer is refreshing; and people wonder where have all the good times gone." said Lorca. the phrase 'Where Have All the Good Times Gone!" was a song title from the band known as VanHalen. Baron SouthPaw was impressed with the Captain's quick whit.

"Likewise Captain."

Saru interrupted, "One more thing Baron. As I am the first officer on a Starfleet vessel I believe that you owe me something."

"Good thing I brought it." stated Baron with a great deal of satisfaction in his voice.

Saru look genuinely surprised, "You actually got me one?" he asked.

"It's vintage, pre-CBS, 1958, sunburst." said Baron, Saru would know what it was in reference to and he knew it.

"Good Lord." Saru said like he was just told he was getting a Stradivarius for Christmas.

"I got it from a junk dealer on Ceti Alpha five who thought it was a 2112 re-issue. I had the Rozhenko's do the re conditioning to make it playable again." Said Baron.

"You didn't restore it did you?" asked Saru like that would amount to sacrilege.

"God no," stated Baron with great satisfaction, "I even put a pattern enhancer in it so you could beam it safely."

Baron turned his attention to all the others listening in the room, "Captain and Crew as part of my bet with Saru he has to play this instrument right after he gets it. You may not want to miss this."

Stamets interjected in astonishment, "Saru plays bass guitar?"

Michael answered, "He's quite good."

"Commander Landry," said Baron, "I expect you to read my contract before I arrive. No exceptions."

Saru handed Landry a data padd. "Read it now that's an order." Landry began reading.