Enterprise NX-01
Captain J. Archer Commanding
News of the theft of a Starfleet vessel had gripped the seasoned Captain, he could not believe the young man who stood before him weeks ago could resort to theft of a vessel however, the warrant for his arrest appeared to be legal and signed by a high ranking member of Starfleet Security, since it was a time of deadly conflict with the Romulans such a theft would be considered as treason. The last known co-ordinates of the Colorado had been input into the helm as the gallant ship altered her course in pursuit. Slowly and carefully Archer reviewed the files of those identified by Starfleet Security as he sat in his ready room with a grim look on is face.
"Fluent in Klingon, Vulcan, Andorian and several Earth languages… level eight Starship pilot. Trained as an intelligence operative, weapons expert, counter intelligence… my god, this kid knows more then most learn in a life time" He mumbled as he read the file.
Slowly he leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his greying hair as he remembered sitting in this chair while the young Lieutenant shared a drink with him many weeks ago. The only thing that brought him out of his thoughts was the sound of his door chiming, pushing a control on his desk the door slid open with a familiar mechanical sound as his old friend and chief engineer entered.
"Bad time?"
"No, just reviewing files for the ninth time. It doesn't make since Trip… none of this does"
"Yeah, well I got news that will knock your socks off. I've been reviewing the schematics of the Colorado… much of it is classified but I managed to hack past several systems… Cap'n, you're not going to believe what is on that ship"
"What?" He sighed.
Slowly Trip entered and sat on a chair nearby as he continued with his report.
"It seems the Colorado was recommissioned several months ago, her warp drive and several key systems had been removed and replaced with a… new design"
"Trip, I'm really tired, is there a point to this?"
"Her engines had been redesigned with a new system, she can reach and sustain warp six for twelve hours, her weapons have been redesigned with a new torpedo and phase cannon design that if successful will arm the next generation of Starships. Her hull plating has been completely removed and a new system based on the Andorian shields installed"
"WHAT!" Archer yelled.
"Ohh, that's not all. Six torpedo launchers, four forward and two aft. Six Phase Cannons four forward and two aft… they cover all angles. Two transporter bays and a computer system that is so fast it makes ours look like a old calculator"
"Are you joking?"
"I wish I was Cap'n. Now I did a lil' calculations… assuming that Franks could get her to Warp Six, it puts her here…"
Quickly he pointed to a Star chart on the wall as Archer sat up and looked at the area he was circling with his left hand.
"That's a lot of space to cover Trip"
"I know that, but we do have some good news, the Challenger is closer then we are by about a day"
Smiling, Archer stood and nodded for a moment before he activated his intercom unit.
"Archer to Hoshi, contact the Challenger and order them to change course to grid… TL-234 by 342 under authorisation of Admiral Foster, Starfleet security"
"Aye sir, sending now" Hoshi replied.
"Cap'n, you do know that puts them dangerously close to…"
"Klingon space, yes I know. It fits, two years ago the then Lieutenant Commander Franks was leading a survey mission he disappeared, three days later his ship was found by an Andorian ship and he was returned to the outpost"
"You think he's working for them?" Trip sighed.
"Klingons don't take prisoners"
"Romulans do, I know that better then anyone" He sighed.
"I remember, pity you didn't get a good look at them"
"I wore a hood the whole time. What are we going to do Cap'n?"
"Follow orders, capture and detain Franks, his ship and crew. If that ships gets into enemy hands…"
"They'll know everything they need to know about a Starship, I know" Tucker sighed deeply.
Limping, the Excalibur slipped into a high orbit above the M Class planet as its commander and crew looked at the view screen zooming into a location scanned from orbit. The records where correct, the technological level of the planet was similar to Earth in the late twentieth century. As the view screen sliced away at a chosen area it zoomed into an aerial view of what appeared to be a large city, leaning forward in his chair, Franks smiled slightly as the inhabitants came into view.
"Perfect, but for a few makeup tricks we could pass as one of their own"
"Bill, I know what you're planning, it's a bad idea"
"T'Lana, if they have Star charts, we need them… the only way to do that, is to put boots on the ground. Are you ready for a little fresh air?"
"Could I change your mind? Scratch that… I'm ready"
"Okay… send those orbital scans to Molly, tell her to prep surgery for three people. Myself, you and Mister Cortez"
In the port-side transporter bay, Franks, T'Lana and Cortez stepped onto the transporter platform as the operator worked her controls.
"I've selected an isolated area just outside the main city Skipper. It looks like an abandoned warehouse"
"Understood Chief, I really hate these things… Energise!"
Silence was broken by the sound of materialisation process as the disguised away team formed in the usual halo of transporter energy. Pulling his jacket around him, Franks looked around with a smile at the debris around him while Cortez pulled out a small scanner.
"The area is clear however, am reading several life signs on the other side of that wall"
"How many Cortez?"
"Six, approaching fast. They must have heard our beam in. Sir, we should find cover… quietly" Cortez whispered.
Quickly and quietly the three officers left the area as six aliens entered the small room and looked around, their language was unusual but similar to Klingon which made it easier for the Universal Translator to adapt to the language.
"What do you think it was?" One alien asked.
"No idea, perhaps the cameras detected what is was… I'll review it later"
"As you wish. We move onto the next area… leave an audio recorder here. We may pick something else up"
Slowly the six aliens left the small room as Franks and his small team looked up over a large create they where hiding behind. Sighing deeply Franks looked at his First Officer and whispered.
"Perfect, looks like we've beamed into some kind of investigation"
"I see that. They mentioned a camera of some kind… it could have picked up our beam in. we've gotta find it"
Carefully, they moved around the small room as they looked for anything that seemed like a camera device until Cortez clicked his fingers twice to draw the attention of his team members. Through the darkness they could see his shadow pointing to a small camera like device while he examined it. Quickly and silently they moved towards the device as Cortez looked up at them with a slight smile on his face.
"What is it?" T'Lana whispered.
"This thing has some kind of night vision. However I can't make out the markings"
"It looks like Klingon scripture…" T'Lana whispered.
"I think I know what's going on. We'd better erase the last five minutes of that tape"
"Why?" Cortez smiled. "What's going on?"
"I remember reading that during the late 20th and early 21st century on Earth…small groups of people used devices similar to this to hunt for…" Smiling slightly. "Ghosts… spirits… you get the idea"
"We've beamed into the middle of a Ghost hunt?" Cortez laughed slightly.
"Apparently. I spotted an open window not far from here, find a way to wipe the last few minutes, from a few seconds before our beam in upto about a minute from now. Then lets get the hell out of here before they come back"
After erasing several minutes from the device the away team quickly left the building, and disappeared into the darkness as they entered the city. With dawn breaking over the horizon they began their search for the location scanned from orbit.
"Don't you feel a little guilty about erasing that recorder Franks?"
"Not at all Cortez, but I can't understand how a planet so far from Earth and Klingon territory has evolved with such parallels too Earth… yet with a language and writing that almost mirrors an early Klingon language"
"Coincidence?" Cortez smiled.
"No such thing" T'Lana replied.
"Agreed, let's check it out after we find a decent star chart"
"I agree, perhaps some kind of cultural contamination from Earth or the Klingons?"
"Anything is possible at this time Cortez, just where the hell are we?" T'Lana smiled.
Eventually they found what appeared to be a small establishment which appeared to sell Telescopes, smiling slightly Franks entered the store, stopping at the door he looked around slowly as a elderly male walked towards the counter and with a slight smile on his face.
"May I help you mister?" He asked politely.
"I hope so sir, my name is Franks I am searching for something special for my wife… a chart of the night sky"
"Well young man, you have come too the right place. You will not a superior stellar chart anywhere in the Province. Franks? That is an unusual name sir"
"A family name sir, we have travelled… a great distance"
"Indeed. I can see from your accent that you are not from this Province, where are you from, if you do not mind me asking"
"Beyond the mountains to the east"
Slowly Franks walked towards the counter as the elderly man smiled slightly.
"I see, you have come a long way. However, you will not be disappointed. We sell the finest stellar and most detailed stellar charts, people come from all over to this small establishment…"
Laughing slightly, he reached under his counter and pulled out a small rolled, scroll type map. As he unrolled the map he looked up at Franks.
"This is perhaps my greatest seller, this map has been hand drawn by myself many years ago, that was before my Casting of course"
"Casting?" Franks asked slowly.
"Perhaps you call it something different. I was once one of the most prominent Astronomers in the Province however, mandatory rules state that no one over the age of 89 years can serve in…"
"I understand sir"
Carefully he looked at the map before him as he traced his fingers over the incredible detail.
"It is breath taking sir. You must be proud"
"Some what" He smiled.
"But this is not what I am looking for. My wife has… specific tastes"
The click of the door opening caught Franks' attention as he looked up slightly. The smile on the old man's face told him everything he needed to know about whom had entered. As he looked down at the map once again he spoke with a soft and caring voice.
"Sir, meet my wife and her brother"
Whispering slightly into Franks' ear, the elderly man seemed shocked for a moment.
"She is your wife? Very nice work sir"
Looking up at the two who entered he stepped around the counter supported by a small metallic style walking cane, as he walked towards the two he extended his hand in greeting.
"Welcome to my little establishment Miss, my name is Argosian"
"T'Lana, this is my… Brother Cortez"
"T'Lana… such a beautiful name, for a beautiful young woman. I believe I have exactly what you are looking for. One moment please"
Quickly the old man shuffled into the back room as Franks turned and looked too his first officer and security chief as they joined him at his side.
"These charts are amazingly detailed for the level of technology on this world"
"Franks, what the hell is going on here? We've just seen two soldiers on the far side of the street with weapons that look a lot like…"
"Klingon Disrupters, I know. I can see one sticking out of that safe over there" He whispered.
"Definitely something wrong here. Cortez… ask around… quietly"
"Of course, I saw what looks like a… bar a few blocks away"
"Perfect, drink carefully. Once we have the Star Chart I'll have it beamed up for analysis"
Nodding softly, Cortez turned and left as the elderly man returned with a small box. Quickly T'Lana placed her arm around Franks' waist and smiled as she leaned on his shoulder slightly.
"You two make an excellent couple, how long have you been joined?"
"Two days ago" T'Lana smiled.
"Congratulations. What I have here is the most detailed Stellar Map available, not even the Militia itself has charts this accurate"
Slowly he leaned too his left as he pressed a small green control on the box. Almost instantly the room exploded with light as a holographic star chart formed around them. Hiding his shock at what he was seeing, Franks nodded as he examined the large holographic image that surrounded them.
"Impressive, I have not seen anything like this. How much?"
"That is the problem Mister Franks 100'000 slips" He replied as he bowed slightly.
"100'000... That's a lot"
"You will not find a more accurate map anyplace on this planet" The old man boasted.
"I understand that, perhaps we can work out some arrangement?" T'Lana Smiled.
"What do you have in mind Miss?"
"Allow us to discuss this, we will return with an offer for the device"
"As you wish Miss T'Lana"
Quickly the old man deactivated the device and placed it under the counter as Franks and T'Lana bowed slightly and left the building. Quickly Franks took her arm and led her into a back alley as she looked at him in shock, a shock that was echoed in his face.
"Bill, what the hell just happened?"
"No idea, that level of tech should be beyond this planet"
"This planet? It's beyond Starfleet Bill. We've gotta find out what the hell is going on around here… quickly"
"I agree" He sighed.
The sound of footsteps echoed from wall to wall, four distinctive footsteps could be heard. Quickly Franks looked around the corner as four people walked towards them. Thinking quickly he pushed her against the closest wall and kissed her as the footsteps walked towards them, for a moment she was shocked yet, she knew exactly what he was doing and returned the kiss as the footsteps stopped for a moment behind them and finally continued away from them. Slowly he pulled back and looked into her eyes.
"S-sorry"
"Umm… don't be… I mean, no problem"
Slightly she began to blush with the soft green hue of her Vulcan blood, quickly she reached out and grabbed him and then pulled him towards her for a passionate kiss, one that he returned as his hands moved through her hair and down her back towards her firm buttocks.
