AN: I'm not going to be one of those authors who refuses to update unless I get reviews, or ask for a certain number of reviews, but I would like one review- because last chapter got none. Zip. Zilch. Zero. I don't think asking for one review is too much. I write mainly for myself, but I would like to know what you, the readers, think of this story. Anyway, here's the latest chapter. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.
Chapter Four: Names and Ryetalyn
Her opportunity to learn more about the Russian Navigator appeared sooner than she expected. She was talking with William in the mess hall during lunch, and he was telling her about all the things he had been doing.
"Chekov told me this story about how during his first assignment on the Enterprise the captain was kidnapped by Romulans from the future! And-"
"Chekov is the name of the Navigator?" When Joanna thought about it, that name did sound familiar.
William nodded. "Pavel Chekov. You didn't know that?"
"I think I've heard it once or twice, but so much has been going on…" Joanna trailed off, knowing that William understood where she was going with that statement.
Well, she thought, at least I have a name.
"Anyway, Chekov was saying that three months after that, he was promoted to Lieutenant, making him the youngest Lieutenant ever."
"Wait, how old is he?"
William paused, obviously trying to think of the answer.
"Twenty… two? I think?"
Joanna nodded absentmindedly. That would make him three years older than her.
"Why?" William continued.
"Oh… err…" Joanna tried to think of a good excuse. Why did she want to know anyway? "Just… curious, you know?"
William seemed a bit skeptical, but didn't push the issue. Joanna let out a sigh of relief. Pavel Chekov, huh? Not a bad name…
It wasn't supposed to be anything serious.
Another Federation ship had called in and asked for assistance from the Enterprise in collecting some Ryetalyn they had found in a natural deposit on a moon they would soon be passing. Kirk, feeling the perfect combination of bored and generous, decided to help the other ship out.
"So," Kirk announced, "they said they needed four volunteers. Any takers?"
Joanna, who had just been finishing up a conversation with Spock about Vulcan ecology (or what used to be Vulcan ecology), was immediately interested.
"I'll go," she said, raising her hand, "I mean, I don't really have much else to do…" Because of her field, she wouldn't have much to do until they reached their destination and began sample collection.
"Bones will kill me…"
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."
Kirk paused for a second, considering her response. "Okay then. Three more."
"I will accompany her, Captain," Spock added, keeping his usual passive expression. "I would suggest sending the intern from Engineering and Sulu with us. If we are to remain stationary, we do not have much need for a Pilot onboard."
"Spock's logic is sound, as usual. What do you say, Sulu?"
"I'm all for it," Sulu responded, removing his headset.
"Someone contact Engineering, tell them we need that Intern boy."
"Already done, Captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Uhura."
"Well then, Spock, Sulu, mini Bones-"
Joanna glared at Kirk.
"Ah look!" Kirk said gleefully, "She even inherited Bones' glare!"
Joanna narrowed her eyes further.
"Okay then! Where was I? Oh, yes… you three can head down to the Teleportation pad. They should be able to Transport you straight to the mining location."
They all nodded before heading out.
In the short walk to the Transportation room, Joanna found herself becoming increasingly excited. This would be her first time visiting another planet. She had finally fulfilled her dream of seeing the stars up-close, and now she would be fulfilling her desire to do something else she had always wanted to do.
Stepping onto her circle on the Pad, she watched as Sulu, Spock, and Derek, arriving from Engineering, took their places. She turned to look at the brunette woman sitting at the control panel. Joanna had never seen her before, but had heard from Uhura that Scotty only worked in the Teleportation Room on special occasions. Also, according to Uhura, the Enterprise's Teleportation Chief did her job well, so Joanna wasn't nervous.
Joanna put in an earpiece and combadge (to maintain contact with the Enterprise, as the Intern uniforms did not have one), handed to her by another member of the Teleportation Room crew. She watched Derek do the same, as Spock and Sulu already had both devices.
"So you should be beaming directly on-site. There should be Federation members waiting to greet you upon arrival," the brunette informed them as the Transporter Pad powered up.
Teleportation was just as she remembered it. Everything faded to white and then, as if she had just blinked, she was on a different planet. She could feel the wind in her face and the rocky terrain under her feet through her boots. They were three quarters of the way up an extremely tall mountain- taller than any on Earth, she was sure, in the middle of what seemed to be a mountainside quarry
As promised, a sandy blond-haired man greeted them upon arrival. "Welcome. We appreciate your assistance. If we could have two of you, preferably the more experienced ones, helping us melt down some ore. The other two can go over to Johnson," he pointed to a short man with black hair several yards away, and help him weigh and package the refined metal."
They all nodded. "Sulu and I shall go with this man. Derek and Joanna, report to Johnson."
Derek and Joanna saluted Spock before heading over. Joanna was slightly disappointed with the mundane nature of their task, but quickly got into a rhythm, striking up idle conversation with Derek and the other Federation members working with them.
They worked that was for almost an hour.
But, of course, they were from the Enterprise.
Which meant things could never go quite that smoothly.
They were first alerted by a far off shriek, followed by a bellowed "Look out!". Joanna quickly dropped what she was doing, curious and somewhat alarmed. And then she was blown off her feet.
Her breath left her as she was slammed against the ground. Dust filled the air, making her eyes water. As the air cleared, Joanna looked around for a familiar face. Spotting Derek, she called over to him. "Derek! What just happened?"
He looked just as bewildered as she felt. "I don't know!".
Pausing, he looked back over to her, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
His eyes widened and Joanna began to fill with dread.
"Joanna, you've got to move!"
She scrambled to her feet, but it was too late. She heard the ground giving way beneath her before she felt it.
And she wasn't sure how it happened, but one second she was beginning to fall, and the next, she was hanging in midair, tens of thousands of feet above the ground. When she looked up, she saw Derek leaning over the edge of the cliff, only remaining steady by obviously digging his feet in the ground, keeping a tight grip on her wrist.
"It's okay, help is coming," he told her.
But she wasn't listening. The ledge was still unstable, and she heard a familiar creaking noise.
"Derek," she said, her voice shaking slightly, "Listen to me. You gotta let go."
She could tell he was conflicted.
He was not stupid- he knew the ledge was unstable. But he also knew that no one could survive that fall.
Joanna closed her eyes, saying her final goodbyes while trying to ignore her pounding heart.
"Goddamn it, Derek! Be logical! It's either me or both of us! Let go!"
They both heard the audible sound of the ledge cracking.
Far behind them, Sulu was frantically speaking with someone aboard the Enterprise. "Beam us up! Beam us up!"
Derek gave her one last look.
"I'm sorry," he said.
And he let go, quickly scrambling away from the edge.
As she began to fall, Joanna's mind echoed Derek's words.
I'm sorry.
