Star Trek: The Nara-Maru Files
Akagi-Maru Incident
Being almost thrown off of the bridge of a ship which she herself had partially designed was not the idea of a partnership that Teela had wanted with the woman she had come to love and respect of the years of which she had worked and lived along side her. However, the revelation that Asami was considering quitting the business of which they had both created over the past several years had shocked her immensely due to the fact that half of the business itself belonged to Teela as she brought many of her original contracts into the business once she lost her ship and formed her partnership with Asami and her original vessel the Nara-Maru itself.
After meditating on the problem itself, she believed that she had come to realise a solution and after enjoying the only sonic shower onboard the tiny starship which had no operated as an advanced freighter, she pulled on her clothes and stepped back onto the bridge after only six and a half hours rest.
"Asami, I need a word… in private if you don't mind Mister Ambassador?" Teela said firmly.
"Worf, would you give us a moment?" Asami said with a gracious smile.
"Of course. I will be, in the mess-hall if I am required" He said politely before he left the bridge.
"I've been thinking about what you said about quitting. Let me finish please?" She said as Asami tried to speak and then nodded slightly. "Thank you. I know what you mean about quitting, I don't want to quite this thing we both have going here. We have a great life together, two and a half amazing ships and all we need are two more crews to man them…"
"I've already thought of that, no-one wants the job what with these Pirates out here and what happens once they are gone? There is always another around the next nebula. I know that you love this job honey, I do… we have freedom go and do what we want, when we want. I've even considered joining with the Federation Freighter Service and the protection that they offer. But, the price is to high for us" Asami said slowly.
"So what then, just… leave and do nothing? You're not much of an artist and a terrible singer and poet!" Teela laughed loudly.
"I thought you liked my singing" Asami said with a mock pout. "Alright… I wasn't going to say anything until I was completely sure of this. But Del-Corp is shutting down a Third of the business, the Repair and Military Construction yards will remain open, but they are shutting down the private sector of the company. Now, before that goes on the market in two months, he's offered the entire civilian section to us as first refusal. I think he want's to stay on your brother's side, now I've worked it out… if we sell our major contracts, Paul West is interested, sell half of what is in our stores and with our combined savings, we can buy that third of the business with change to spare"
"Ship building? No offence Asami, but that section of his business is dying. What could we build and sell to make a good living?" Teela said with interest.
"You're stood in one right now. In recent years, demand for these old ships have sky-rocketed, all we have to do is design and build more… Supply and Demand. We take out a few systems that are ours alone like the cloak, refractive hull coverings, the Armour… we'd have something that people WILL want too buy. Think about it, we can offer custom built Archer-Nara Class ships to anyone who wants them. Teela, we'd make a fortune with this. The third in our line is not 100% yet, we could use that ship as the basis for a new line of ships, but only if you're in with this" Asami said with a large smile as she stood before Teela. "What do you say?"
"Are you serious?" She said with shock.
"It would take a little reworking, Our fried over at Del-Corp is excited about the idea as long as we keep their company name in conjunction with whatever we decided on using. They have the people, we have the only design worth using, we should do this before someone else does. All we have to do is hire his staff, you're brother will put up the funds for their wages until we repay him or keep him on as a silent partner. This is the opportunity that we have been waiting for, look at me… have you ever seen me this excited about a new prospect? All we have to do is take the opportunity… and I want your life to be secure when I am gone not still chasing around the galaxy, dropping off medical supplies and sex toys to Cardassia, Qo'noS and worlds that to be honest with you, they disturb me"
"I thought, I thought you loved this job?" Teela said slowly. "How long have you felt like this?"
"Since, since the death of my mother. I want more now, we can hide it all that we want, but I know that you will outlive me and I want your life after me to be free of the struggle that I had before we met, not knowing where the next job will come from. Teela, my beautiful wife… I want more now. I-I want a family… I want it all" Asami said slowly.
"I know that your mother's death hit you hard, but… A Family, How?" Teela replied with shock. "The last time I checked and thoroughly I might add, you're a woman and so am I"
"I don't know. We could adopt a baby or something… I'm getting older Teela, I want… more now but I want it with you. Do I sound bad by saying this? But I want someone who could one day, take over from me…. From us. These past years we have been working and living together have taught me more about Engineering then even Starfleet ever could, I want to pass that on to someone someday along with my family's legacy" She said with tears in her eyes.
"I had no idea you felt this way. I tell you what, once this… whatever it is, is over. We'll sit down and talk about it, but first… we have a job to do. Once Starfleet shows up, we can leave" Teela said as she held her shaking hands gently. "And why do I get a feeling that there is something else, you're afraid…"
Alarm klaxons rang through the ship as the both instantly turned towards the nearest active console and looked at the display and what they both saw shocked them instantly as large shockwave screamed through space towards them. Sitting in the nearest seats they held on tight as they alerted their guest to do the same before Teela called out.
"The shockwave is disrupting subspace The cloak has failed and its collapsing warp field, we're slowing to one-third impulse"
"I'm diverting all available power to Aft-Ventral shields, bring us around, 90degrees to port. We're going to ride it like a wave"
"That's impossible, our shields aren't strong enough" Teela yelled.
"Hold on, here it comes!"
Slamming instantly into the Aft of the Akagi-Maru, the modified shields pushing the ship forwards along with the wave itself as sparks flew in all directions and consoles around the bridge exploded while deck plating seemed to fly up and slam into the ceiling itself as the two women where thrown forwards along with the wave itself until the wave passed over the ship and it tumbled through space. With blood dripping from a large open wound above her left eye, Teela scrambled to her feet as she yelled Asami's name whilst trying to find her through the thick smoke which filled the bridge itself. Throwing debris aside as saw Asami laying on the floor with blood pouring from her forehead as she screamed with terror at what she saw. A large piece of debris had broken loose from the ceiling and fallen onto Asami, pinning her to the deck plating by both of her legs.
"WORF, HELP!" She yelled in terror.
Many years earlier…
Freighter Nara-Maru enroute to Rempak Anchorage.
Since leaving Starfleet after purchasing an old former Starfleet Ship, Asami Hirayama had begun too develop a reputation as an honest freighter Captain, although at times the payment for her services could be considered steep by the standards of the other companies, the speed and efficiency of how she conducted her business had granted her jobs which others had been looking for and desperately wanted. Often her payment consisted of equipment and technology which could be utilised onboard her ship or personal items which she could use since she had left Earth with nothing but the clothing on her back, her vessel and small personal items. Asami enjoyed her newfound lifestyle especially sitting at the former communications console on the bridge as she would bid for her next job, often little more then trying to undercut her competition, even when the job was not what she wanted before pulling out of the bids themselves.
Once again sat before the console to the broker onboard Rempak, a new contract had appeared for a simple delivery of a small item to a distant world out on the rim of the Galaxy itself, with the timeline set for delivery, Asami knew that she could make the delivery as requested since it was in direct line with another delivery she had to make from a past contract and would be able to make the delivery with time to spare on both accounts. Placing her bid of four Warp Plasma Conduits to replace those which had begun too malfunction over the past three weeks, her payment had been accepted and the contract would be signed upon her arrival at what had become the hub of commerce for that entire sector.
A large smile echoed over her face as the seal of approval had been given along with a location, time and date for the pickup of the item. Leaning backwards in her chair, she pushed the chair across the deck plating quickly as she increased speed towards the station itself, cutting down her time of arrival to fifteen minutes.
Upon her arrival, with her docking clearances given and her payment made to the Administrator of the facility, she left her vessel and made her way through the station towards the pickup of the small item itself. Walking towards two large hooded males in one of the cargo-bays, she extended her hand in greeting as she spoke.
"Hello, I am Asami Hirayama from the Nara-Maru, I'm here for the item"
"Miss Hirayama? I must regret to inform you that the contract has already been signed by another…" Apologised one of the men.
"What?" She called out with shock. "West!"
"Forgive me Miss, It was not, Mister West… but one of our own who is returning home and no payment is required. We apologise for the inconvenience caused" Replied the second large male.
"Who?" Asami said with rage. "Is that her? Give me a moment"
Cursing under her breath, she walked towards a woman who was stood by a large stack of crates, seemingly counting them.
"Hey! Is this your doing?" Asami yelled with anger.
"Miss Hirayama? Forgive me, your payment will be delivered to your vessel this afternoon as compensation for your troubles, I believe that it was… four Plasma Conduits? Since I have a stock-pile, you are more then welcome to take four of them" The woman said with a gentle smile.
"Keep them. I don't know what you do out here and quiet frankly, I don't care. But, when I sign on for a job, I do it… all I ask is why?" She said with rising anger.
"I am heading home for family reasons. When I heard of this delivery, I told them that I would deliver the item for free, since it is going to my homeworld" She said slowly.
"For future reference Miss… what ever your name is, I don't like being played like that. Let's never cross paths again, next time… I'll take your head off. Am I clear?" Asami said with force.
Storming out of the Cargo-bay, Asami's rage grew with each passing moment as she could feel their eyes watching her and hear their voices in her mind like a radio tuned to a distant channel. Stopping at the doors, she quickly turned with a slight smile on her face as she called out with her mind. 'And stop looking at my ass' Shock overcame the three aliens before her as she turned with a large smile on her face and disappeared around the corridor as she could still hear their voices in her telepathic mind speaking with shock until they faded into the background hum of the many minds in and around her location.
Three hours Later…
Looking over the manifest of her ship whilst stood before the vessel itself. Asami seemed to be having a heated discussion with a tall human male as the female alien walked towards her with a worried look echoing over her face. From the body language of Asami, she could tell that the male before her was definitely angry with something which had happened between the two of them, although she now knew that Asami had a telepathic mind, she refrained from entering her mind without permission, in accordance with the laws of her own world in dealing with alien species. Stopping before them, she politely caught their attention as she spoke.
"Excuse me, please forgive my interruption. Miss Hirayama, may I please have a moment of your time?"
"What? Ohh, sure. Like I said West, my ship isn't for sale… now get the hell out here before I do something that you will not enjoy as much as I will" Asami said with force.
"You know what Sam, it's true what they say about you. You are a real bitch…" He said before he turned towards the alien woman. "You on the other hand, Paul West and very much at your service. If you require any assistance, call a professional, not a spoilt little girl like this one here. Good day ladies" He said before he walked away with a slight stagger in his step.
"That guy, is a real asshole and the bane of my existence out here. Now, what can I do for you Miss…"
"My full name is… difficult to pronounce. Nevertheless, people call me… Teela and I need your help with something. I reviewed your application for the item, is it true how long it will take you to deliver it?" Teela said politely.
"With a slight detour for another drop off, yes. I thought you had your own ship, why do you need me? Forgive me Miss Teela, your thoughts are transmitting loud and clear"
"It is… fine Miss Hirayama, what did he call you, Sam?"
"A nick-name I acquired as a Starfleet Cadet, long story. What happened to your ship and why do you need mine?" Asami said quickly.
"My vessel has been… impounded due to un-paid docking fees for the past eight months. I have to get home for the Ascension of my Brother's Daughter in four weeks, your vessel appears to have the required speed. I would like to hire you and your vessel to transport myself and my cargo to my home world for the family gathering, you will be handsomely rewarded for your help by my family"
"Teela, I don't take on any passengers and my ship doesn't have any comforts, it's very Spartan ship… however, since you ARE in a bind and you did take the contract from me anyway… I have no crew, you'll have to earn your keep onboard, what do you do?" She said with a smile.
"Well, I my own pilot, navigator, medic, cook and engineer. I also have a crew of one meaning myself" She said quickly.
"Alright but as I said, you will have to work for you passage home. I have extra quarters but they have no comfort, you'll have set up one of the bunks which are in storage, I have only one sonic-shower which doesn't exactly work and one toilet, we'll have to share. You can start by helping me load these crates and then fixing the sonic-shower…" Asami said with a large smile.
"Of course and thank you Asami"
"Don't thank me now Teela, but welcome aboard" She said as she shook her hand gently.
Almost Four Weeks Later…
Acclimatising herself with the unusual controls of the vessel of which she had hired to transport her home was not an easy task for the Iolian transport pilot as she had spent several days learning the unusual language in which they where written, a language which existed on Asami's home planet, Earth. Finally able to understand the language and technology onboard the ship, Teela had repaired the Sonic-Shower as she had been requested before she examined the warp-core of the vessel.
Upon hearing that her only luxury onboard had been repaired, Asami seemed to stay in the shower for hours at a time while the automatic pilot took control of the vessel towards it's destination on the outskirts of the galaxy, an area of space where Starfleet had never explored.
Finally stepping out of the shower with a robe wrapped around her, Asami seemed to enjoy the feeling of the shower as she walked towards the engine room where her guest was examining the engine core itself.
"See anything you like?" Asami laughed.
"This core is amazing. It is so tiny, how is this possible for a ship this large?"
"Shortly after I left my home world for the outer reaches, I found a derelict vessel. I salvaged some of it's components, including this core… with a few modifications to the existing core I found it increased warp power to warp 7.9 at a push, she can go faster but I don't want to do that. What did you think of our last drop?" Asami said with a large smile.
"I have, never been to the Klingon Homeworld. It I somewhere which I generally avoid nevertheless, it was an interesting experience. May I ask, why did you hit the very large Klingon?"
"Ohh, that? He was trying to assert his dominance over me, Klingons respect a person who would… stand up for themselves. They wouldn't pay the price we agreed on, so I was left with no other choice and with Chancellor Gowron in the room, it was the natural thing to do" Asami laughed.
"Then it is, fortunate Gowron had stopped him from retaliating with violence"
"Perhaps. I've had my share of dealings with Klingons, especially when I was in Starfleet. I like them though, they aren't afraid to speak their minds but they are so very stupid when angered" She said as they both laughed.
"Then, they do not know that you are a Telepath?" She said with shock.
"No, very few do. My mother is Human, my father came from a world known as Betazed, he taught me how to keep my abilities hidden and that had served me well over these past few years. Is everyone of your species a Telepath?"
"Yes, as you would say… on a scale of 1-to-10, ten being the stronger, I rank at about a nine maybe a ten, the strongest in my family next to my late father. My brother is graded at level seven…" Teela said as she closed the Dilithium matrix and locked it into place.
"You don't speak much about your family, do you Teela?"
"It would be… this vocal communication is difficult sometimes. It would be, improper to speak of someone who is not present at the time. However, I come from a large family, my brother is the eldest, I am second. He has six children of both genders with a… what is the word? Wife that he has known since childhood…"
"I see" Asami said as she motioned for Teela to follow her. "Do you have any children, a husband or someone special waiting for you back home?"
Stepping at her side as they walked through the ship, Teela walked with her arms folded behind her back in a way which reminded her of the many Vulcans she had known during her career with Starfleet.
"No, I have… no-one special waiting for me. And what about you Asami?" Teela said slowly.
"Me? No, I left all of that behind when I left Earth. I wanna see the galaxy first and have some fun for a change…" Stopping at the door to her quarters, Asami stepped inside as she removed her robe and began to change into her usual clothing as Teela stopped outside with shock at what she saw. "Oh, don't mind me. I need to change before we enter orbit… and as I was saying. There are things out here that no one in Starfleet has seen, new species like you and your people…"
"You… said that… your mother is of high rank within the Starfleet?" Teela said as she looked away.
"Yes, she's an Admiral… one of the higher ranks. You should've seen her face when I resigned, I thought she was going to explode like a warp-core breach, but I had some personal problems and had no choice. As far as my mother was concerned, the only ship I should have needs a Starfleet logo on the hull… so I bought one. I had to sell everything I owned to a Ferengi trader, even my clothes… I managed to smuggle out a few items though, like this little bad-boy here"
As she pulled on her trousers, she reached onto her bed and retrieved a small metallic cylinder and walked towards her guest with a smile before handing it too her.
"Whit is it?" Teela said as she took the item.
"See the open end? Hey, don't look into it you'll loose an eye or worse. Squeeze it firmly" She said with a smile.
Teela clenched her hand tight and looked on with shock as a blade instantly irrupted from the cylinder itself and shone in the light like a diamond as it curved slightly towards her.
"What is it?" Teela said with a large smile.
"It's called a… sword. An ancient weapon once used on earth by my ancestors, be careful with that blade… it'll take your hand off if you're not careful. Since I was a child, my mother and grandparents had trained me to use a similar weapon, call it a family Legacy handed down from generations"
"So this is real?" Teela said with a smile.
"You bet your perfect ass it is. I build it a when I was at the Academy using salvaged components, the blade is forged from several Klingon weapons and a few other things that aren't exactly legal in Starfleet. Squeeze the handle again, the blade will retract" Asami smiled as she pulled on her jacket over her topless body.
"An incredible… weapon" Teela replied as the blade retracted into the cylinder and she handed it back.
"Well, enough of this. We should be within range of your world soon. Once you beam down, I guess this is goodbye?"
"Why does it have to be goodbye Asami? Why not join me, as my guest?"
"Ohh I couldn't intrude on your family's celebrations" Asami said with a gracious smile.
"Nonsense, this past four weeks has been fun for me. You came to my rescue when I needed someone the most and I would consider it an honour if you would join me and my family at this time" Teela replied.
"Only if you're sure Teela and, and if your family is okay with my being there"
"They'll be fine, just… have some fun"
Present Day…
USS Defiant.
Starship Log, Supplemental.
Colonel Kira Nerys Recording…
The shockwave from the exploding star has caused severe damage throughout this region of space and so far, we have received twelve individual calls for assistance from vessels in the region. Although it is Starfleet's duty to respond too calls for assistance, the nature of our assignment negates that possibility and those calls for help have regrettably, gone unanswered.