Star Trek the Next Generation
Rabies
Chapter 10
If You Want Peace – Prepare For War
Admiral Ross cleared his throat as he walked into the conference room and took a seat at the head of table. Admiral Hanson, Admiral Jacobs, and Admiral Paris were already seated and ready to begin. Ross looked at each of the Admirals and then began, "Today at 0800 hours, the Cardassians attacked Starbase 32. Sixty-five people were killed, hundreds were injured, and ten were reported missing."
"How long are we going to have to wait?" Admiral Paris asked watching Ross drum his fingers on the table, "The Klingons as we speak are attacking the Romulans whenever chance they can get."
"I do agree," Admiral Jacobs, said leaning forward in her chair to look at Admiral Ross, "The Romulans and the Cardassians both have already done enough to declare war on us. We need to act now before it's too late."
"To late for what?" Admiral Ross asked drumming his fingers on the table, "Now if we do declare war, does this mean we send every ship. What about the virus?"
"We have every medial officer in Starfleet working on a cure; it is all a matter of time," Admiral Paris said looking at Admiral Ross.
"And what about those ten officers that were reported missing?" Admiral Jacobs asked watching Admiral Ross intently, "We need to try and find them. God knows what kind of treatment the Cardassians are giving them."
Admiral Ross' eyes widened in horror briefly, "The last time the Cardassians had a Starfleet officer was Captain Picard and we all know how that turned out."
"There still is one question," Admiral Paris asked looking at the water fountain outside of the building they were in, "How do we know that the 10 reported missing are in fact missing?"
"We don't know for sure," Admiral Ross asked after a few seconds of silence.
"There is another issue that must be brought to our attention," Admiral Jacobs said standing up. She walked over to the star charts. "There are reports of Maquis movement," She said pointing at the Venmar system, "Ten ships have crossed the system transporting medical and weapon supplies."
"Are they a threat?" Admiral Paris asked looking at the star chart.
"I don't think so," Admiral Jacobs said looking at the star charts again, "I think the Maquis will attack the Cardassians first. They always do and the Maquis have been closer to Cardassian space than Federation space."
"But we can't single them out completely," Admiral Paris said, "Don't forget they are our enemy."
"So what does that leave us at?" Admiral Ross asked watching Admiral Jacobs return to her seat, "Do we attack or watch the Klingons fight this?"
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Riker walked into ten-forward and looked around the room quickly to see who was seated where. When he saw Troi sitting alone in the far corner of the room, he smiled briefly and walked up to her. "Mat I join you?" He asked giving her a warm smile.
"Of course," Troi said returning Riker's smile with one of her own.
"How are you feeling?" Riker asked as he occupied the chair across form hers.
"I'm feeling much better," Troi said taking a sip of her water, "And how about you?"
"From the phaser wound or from the fact that my twin self betrayed everyone," Riker said taking a sip from the water he just received.
"Will," Troi said reaching for Riker's hand. "None of knew he'd do what he did."
"Maybe," Riker said shaking his head unhappily, "But what he did makes me feel like I did it too."
"He may be identical to you," Troi said squeezing his hand affectionately, "But he isn't you. He has a mind of his own and makes his own decisions."
"I do have to remember that everyone he knew on he Ghandi was destroyed. That is too much for even a Vulcan to handle. Loosing so much in so quickly would make anyone crack."
"That's true," Troi said in agreement.
"It is funny," Riker chuckled, "I remember when Thomas came on board the Enterprise for the first time, I was in my quarters and he and I were playing out Busseto Voci Verdiane, by Armando Ariostini. It was funny because Thomas had no idea how to play the violin. It was so strange to look at him and see me not knowing anything about music."
"Listen," Troi said leaning forward and looking Riker in the eye, "Remember this, no one saw this coming so don't make this your fault."
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Thomas walked into the bar and quickly scanned the room. Most of the tables were occupied by all sorts of aliens and there were no empty tables. Thomas walked up to the counter and ordered a cup of water. He took a sip and scanned the room again. He noticed tow people staring at him; one-half human half Klingon and one human with a tattoo on his forehead.
He took another sip and strangely began to feel dizzy. When he looked at the table again, he noticed those two people were not there. He took another sip and then everything began to spin around. He gripped the counter and slowly slid off his chair, knocking over his cup in the process. When he landed on the ground, his world became dark.
When Thomas woke up, he found himself tied to a chair. He looked around the room he was in and saw it was bare. There was a door in front of him and of course, it was closed. Thomas tried to loosen the rope, but was not able to. The door opened and in walked the guy with the tattoo on his forehead and the half human half Klingon, "Don't even try," The male said sitting in the chair opposite of Thomas, "Even if you were to get out, there would be no place to go. We have guards posted here and they will kill you upon sight if need be."
"Who are you people?" Thomas asked looking at the male and then the female, "What do you want?"
"I could ask the same think," The female asked, "Will Riker."
"I am not Will Riker, "Thomas said looking aggravated, "Are you the Maquis?"
"Who wants to know?" The male asked giving Thomas a hard look.
"I do," Thomas said trying to rub his aching wrists with his tied up hands, but was unsuccessful.
"Why are you here?" The female asked leaning forward, "The Federation spying on us again?"
"What are your guy names?" Thomas asked wishing they would untie him.
"My name is Chakotay and this is Belanna," Chakotay said, "Now tell me why you came here?"
"I came here because there are things the Federation couldn't do," Thomas said looking at Chakotay.
"What kind's things did they not do for you?" Belanna asked crossing her arms over her chest.
"The ship I was most recently on, the Ghandi to be exact, was destroyed by the Romulans," Thomas said with emotion, a tear dripped down his face, "I lost over 200 friends on that ship and what has the Federation done? They have talked abut how bad it was and that is it. If it were me, I would have retaliated."
"The Ghandi was destroyed?" Chakotay asked with a shocked expression, "When did this happen?"
"A few days ago," Thomas said, "Why do you ask?"
"My cousin was the helmsman on the ship," Chakotay said sadly.
"Was your cousin named Setal?" Thomas asked looking at Chakotay.
"Yeah," Chakotay sadly sad, "He was my sister's only son."
"So what happens now?" Thomas asked, "Are you going to untie me or what?"
"Not now," Belanna said as Chakotay stood up with a sigh, "We are going to check out your name and records. But we will be back."
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Picard sat at his desk as he closed his computer. He just got off with Starfleet command and now has new orders. He stood up and pressed his com-badge, "Worf send a message to all the ships patrolling the Neutral Zone. Tell them to rendezvous with us."
"Yes sir," Worf said.
Picard walked over to his replicator and ordered Earl grey. He sniffed it and took a sip. He winced when the steaming drink burnt his tongue. When he was about to take a seat the door chimed. "Come in," Picard said setting his drink down on his desk.
Riker walked in and said, "There will be a total of fifty ships rendezvousing with us by tomorrow morning."
"Good, good," Picard said taking another sip from his tea.
"Captain," Riker asked taking a step toward the desk, "So what is our plan?"
"I can't tell you just yet," Picard said taking another sip of his tea, "But I will tell you that if you want peace, prepare for war."