Star Trek: The Last Outpost Part 1
Stardate 41187.9
Chapter 1
"What is our ETA at the Veridian outpost, Mr. Crusher?" Captain Jean-Luc Picard asked
Ensign Wesley Crusher glanced at his console "Approximately 9 hours 32 minutes sir, Wesley replied. "We are approximately 3 hours late".
"WHAT?" screamed Picard
"If we increased speed to Warp 10 from our Warp 8, Wesley continued "we will arrive instantly."
"Instantly?"
"Yes, Warp 10 is a constant, if we engaged we would be at all the points in the entire universe simultaneously."
"Wow!" Riker awed
"But-", Picard protested "No starship ever has done Warp 10"
"I do know that, Captain, Wesley said knowingly "but we can always try"
Doctor Beverly Crusher smiled across at her son at the helm
"Captain, there is a 90 chance of it all going to pot", Wesley said "and a 20 chance of it going smoothly
"That makes 110, Ensign" Data said
"Oh, i mean there is a 90 chance of it all going to pot and a 10 chance of it going smoothly"
"'Going to pot', Ensign?" Data asked
"Just a saying, Data"
"Ensign, increase to Warp 10"
"Sir, Wesley said "what is the chance of us hitting that 10 chance of it going smoothly?
"Very slim, but we can always try Ensign... Ready? Engage!"
There was an awful screeching noise and Enterprise stopped dead.
"Warp engines are offline" Wesley reported
They waited 30 minutes until Geordi LaForge said "Warp's back online, Captain"
"Wesley, Picard said "Engage at Warp 8.75".
"Aye, sir, 8.75, engaging"
Enterprise shot off in a flash of light.
"Increase speed slowly" Picard ordered.
Wesley said, "Warp 9
"9.2, 9.4, 9.7, 9.9, 9.95"
Enterprise shuddered alarmingly, until...
"Warp 10!"
"Aren't we there, Wes?"
"We are, Mom, Also we are everywhere else in the Universe."
Dr. Crusher screamed and ran to the turbolift.
"How can we tell when we are going to end up when we stop, Wesley?" Picard asked
"If the helmsman enters the coordinates i.e. 231 mark 34 and slows to impulse power we should end up there"
"Then do that, Wes" Picard said
He did so, and a second later the bright red surface of Veridian III appeared.
"Captain, Geordi's voice came through the intercom. "The transporter is offline; we'll have to land this ship".
"Land it? Wesley was astounded "I've never done that!"
"Give it a go, Wes" Picard said
"Yeah, you can do it Wes!"
"Take us out of orbit" Picard asked
"Initiated"
"Proceed at one-quarter impulse power," Picard instructed
The U.S.S. Enterprise sailed down to Veridian III, shuddering slightly.
"What's with the shaking, Wes" Riker asked
"Warp 10 has slightly damaged the inertial dampeners, sir" Wesley replied.
A second later, Enterprise landed down on to the hot, arid surface of Veridian III and suddenly collapsed, keeling to the left as quickly as it had touched down.