Title: Enterprized
Series: TNG, Marrissa Stories, First Adventures
Author: Stephen Ratliff ([email protected])
This Work is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.
Star Trek and Star Trek: the Next Generation, and concepts there
in are copyrighted by Paramount. This story is Fan Fiction, the
author earned nothing from it. However the story and the
characters created there in are Copyright 1995 by Stephen B
Ratliff
Dedicated to:
my brother, who asked,
'Why do they always go back to the correct time?'
Prologue
The bridge of the Enterprise-C was smoky and things were not
going well. The Battle of Nardra III was one they were destined
to lose, but it was a battle that in which a few seconds or
minutes could change the coarse of history of for the entire
quadrant. The crew of the Enterprise-C had seen one of the
possible futures that this battle could lead to, and had come
back in order so that history would flow the way it should. They
hoped that they would not die in vain, but prevent a war from
re-erupting between the Klingons and the Federation. Their
Captain was dead, killed in that future war that they hoped to
avoid, and now Lieutenant Richard Casteel was in command.
Perhaps he could prevent the war that Garret could not.
Outside the Enterprise, three Romulan warbirds were circling
them, causally firing on it. Soon the Romulans began taking the
Enterprise-C more serious as the Ambassador Class starship shot
off a devastating round of phasers and photon torpedoes. The
leading warbird exploded in a cloud of plasma.
The Romulan response was quick. Plasma mortars and
disrupter fire exploded from the tips of the remaining two
Romulan warbirds. On the bridge of the Enterprise, the news was
not good. "Shields are down, and phasers are at 25 percent,"
Lieutenant Tasha Yarr informed her commanding officer. Then
noticing something else she continued, "Romulan transporters are
active."
"Get those shields up!" Richard Casteel ordered.
"Engineering reports that they are unable to do so," an
ensign responded.
"Sir, I'm detecting Romulan life signs in Engineering," Yarr
exclaimed.
Suddenly five Romulans materialized on the bridge. The
sub-commander in charge ordered, "Surrender or Die," with an evil
grin.
Lieutenant Richard Casteel, acting Captain of the Starship
Enterprise NCC1701C, stood up and uttering, "Never," reached
for his phaser. His hand never completed the act as the
subcommander vaporized him.
Pleased with himself the Romulan Sub-commander grinned and
asked, "Any more takers for death?"
Chapter One
Captain's Log
Romulan date 35739 (date converted to STARDATE)
Captured craft USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C
Commander Sardok recording.
I will soon be departing for the Federation. My mission is
to lure the vessels into the zone under the pretext of assisting
a damaged starship. It is hoped that I will be able to capture
valuable Federation technology, and perhaps even a little
information about Federation secrets.
Deep in the caves of Romulas, Ambassador Spock was showing
the log to his wife, Starfleet's Chief of Intelligence, Admiral
Saavik. "Is that all, Spock?" she asked.
"I have one of my best working on finding a more exact time
for you but, I do not know how long it will take, Saavik-kam,"
Spock replied.
"It will have to do," Saavik replied. "Admiral McGuire
wants to make sure we prevent that mission at all cost."
"I will leave immediately to deliver the information to the
Enterprise," Spock said. "Then we will begin working on a plan
for your return to the Federation."
"Hurry back, I plan on spending quite a bit of time with
you," Saavik replied, seductively.
"You did not need to come here, Saavik-kam," Spock said.
"Your risk was not logical."
"Spock, I haven't missed your pon-farr once, and I don't
intend to," Saavik replied. "You logical all you want, but come
next pon-farr, I'll be at you side."
"Sometimes I do not remember why I married you," Spock
replied.
"I believe you did not want your child to grow up
fatherless," Saavik reminded. "Not that he didn't with all the
time you spent on the Enterprise and out negotiating with
Klingons, Cardassians, and Romulans."
"I knew that their was some logic to it," Spock replied,
kissing his wife, the Admiral known only as the Vulcan Lady to
most of Starfleet Command.
Captain's Log
USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
STARDATE 47567.25
Captain Jean-Luc Picard recording.
The Enterprise has been ordered on a mission to rescue a
starship was captured by Romulans over 20 years ago. The USS
Enterprise NCC-1701-C was captured by Romulans after attempting
to defend a Klingon outpost from Romulans. Although they didn't
succeed, their attempt to defend the planet was noticed and
mentioned by the survivors when the Klingons retook the outpost
the next day.
We will be time traveling to just two years after that event
where according to information from Starfleet Intelligence's
commanding officer, the Vulcan Lady, it is being prepared to act
as a lure in order that other Federation vessels may be captured.
An intelligence agent will meet us on the border.
In order to prevent our detection will be taking on the
inventor of a cloaking device.
The senior staff was gathered in the transporter room 3,
waiting for the inventor to beam aboard from the starship
Phoenix. Noted in her absence was Doctor Crusher. "What did
Admiral Edward's now withhold on our young inventor?" Captain
Picard asked.
"He is young, secretive, and a Starfleet Cadet," Troi
replied.
"That says something about him," Riker commented. "Not many
Cadets get the attention of Command enough to have themselves
sent to serve as a Mission Specialist before they graduate."
"Especially on the flagship," Picard concluded. "Where is
Doctor Crusher?"
"She called before you arrived and said that she has to
finish with Ensign Flores first," Geordi replied. "Apparently
their was a training accident in Security this morning."
"Yes, Ensign Flores lost out to Lieutenant Dean in a sword
match," Worf replied. "Ensign Flores needs to learn when to give
up."
"I don't know Worf I find that trait is very useful in a
fight," Riker replied.
"In a fight, yes," Worf replied.
"Captain, the Phoenix is signaling it's readiness to beam
the inventor aboard," Geordi announced.
"Energize," Picard ordered.
Wesley Crusher materialized on the transporter platform,
grinning. "Permission to come aboard Captain," he said to some
surprised looking people in the room. "You did ask for an
inventor of a cloaking device, or did I take the wrong ship."
"Permission granted, Wesley," Picard said. "And yes, you
are on the right ship."
"Why the secrecy, Wes?" Geordi said, coming around from
behind the console.
"How else can I surprise my mom?" Wesley asked.
Moments later, Doctor Beverly Crusher entered the room. A
surprised look graced her face as she noticed her son and said,
"Wesley Eugene Crusher, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Can't I surprise you for a change?" Wesley asked.
"After all the surprises you have pulled in the last 7
years, no," Doctor Crusher replied.
"If you two will interrupt your family reunion," Picard
interrupted. "We have a meeting concerning our mission I'd like
to get too."
"Aye, Captain," the Crushers chorused.
The Crew was sitting around the table in the observation
lounge in their usual order. Wesley Crusher however was standing
by the viewscreen explaining the new cloaking device. "The
device works on a radius method from it's implacement," Wesley
explained. "This means it only covers a certain distance. With
the current version, the forward 8 meters of the saucer would be
visible."
"That shouldn't be a problem, we just separate the saucer
and leave it behind," Riker suggested. Wesley confirmed that was
an option with a nod.
"Correction, Number One, that is a problem," Captain Picard
said. "Have you looked at the personnel we need? We'll be lucky
to be able to staff the C, much less our saucer."
"Then I suggest we give the Kid's Crew the saucer and send
them towards someplace," Riker responded.
"The Kid's Crew?" Picard inquired. "Who's idea was that?"
"Marrissa Flores, I think," Wesley supplied. "She started
it after she got trapped in the turbolift with you. I was in it
before I left for the academy."
"I know young Marrissa, but I'll not put children at risk,"
Picard stated.
"What was your Kobayashi Maru time, Captain?" Riker asked.
"15 minutes, but I don't see how that helps," the Captain
replied.
"Marrissa's is above 20 minutes," Riker replied. "I
evaluated it last week."
"20 minutes!" Picard replied. "I have to see that."
"A recording is available," Riker replied. "If you would
like to add to the recommendations to accompany this eleven year
old to Starfleet Academy, get behind Data and myself."
"I'll be adding my John Hancock to yours shortly," Captain
Jean-Luc Picard responded. "Pending my review of her Kobayashi
Maru and any other relevant records, I will leave Marrissa Flores
in command of the saucer with orders to proceed to Deep Space
Nine. Saucer separation will occur at 2300 hours and we will
depart for Romulas at 0100 hours. Meeting adjourned."
Chapter Two
Captain Picard after reviewing Marrissa Flores's Kobayashi
Maru sat back and wondered at the unexpected ways that the young
girl had managed to starve off the unavoidable. It looked to him
like Marrissa had a long and noteworthy career ahead of her. He
had seen many Kobayashi Marus in his day but none with such
original thinking and with such a tendency to find unforeseen
options. The Academy programmers were going to have their hands
full when she arrived at Starfleet Academy.
Having decided that Marrissa would be the best commander for
the saucer he was going to find and observing her crew in action
during her Kobayashi Maru he sent for the young girl. The door
rang and he said, "Come."
A young blond haired girl, just over four and a half feet
high entered. Her hair was pushed back with a burette, and her
outfit was a conservative pink jumpsuit. "Please sit down,
Marrissa," Captain Jean-Luc Picard ordered, gesturing at the
chair before his desk. "I called you here because I believe you
and your 'Kid's Crew' may be able to solve a problem I have."
"What's the problem?" Marrissa inquired, softly.
"Due to a personnel shortage and an Engineering limitation,
I need a saucer section command crew," Picard said. "Commander
Riker suggested your crew might be of assistance."
"Why?" Marrissa asked.
"Your 20 minute Kobayshi Maru time," Captain Picard said.
"Plus, Wesley Crusher says that if you were at starship Captain,
you'd rank among the best. Since Wesley is not exactly known for
praising anyone's abilities, I take that as a big endorsement."
"When do we start?" Marrissa asked.
"1800 hours," Picard replied. "Saucer separation will be at
2300 hours and after that you will have command of the saucer
section and all it's crew until the stardrive reconnects. Under
your command will be the 5 medical personnel I'm leaving behind
and all the civilians. Enjoy."
"I'll be ready," Marrissa replied. "Permission to go
organize my crew, Captain?"
"Granted," Picard said.
Marrissa skipped out of the Ready Room, on to the bridge and
into the aft turbolift, past some rather surprised officers.
In the Flores family quarters, Marrissa's parents had just
got the notice of their transfer to the stardrive section while
all the children stayed behind in the saucer. "George, who will
watch over Marrissa while we're gone?" Ensign Margaret Flores
asked her husband.
"I'm sure we can find someone who isn't going," Lieutenant
junior grade George Earl Flores replied.
"That's just it, I can't find anyone who is staying in the
saucer," Margaret replied.
At that Marrissa entered her families quarters, "Good
Afternoon, Princess," her father said. "What did Captain Picard
want with you on the bridge?"
"I'm not done with you yet, George," Margaret interrupted.
"We still need to decide what to do with her during our absence
on the stardrive section."
"I'm sure, Marrissa here, can stand a little while alone,"
George replied.
"Yeah, especially since I'll be in command of the saucer
section," Marrissa replied.
"Marrissa ... I thought I taught you to be a truthful little
girl," her mother responded.
"You can check my orders mom, but if you don't mind, I've
got a crew to get ready," Marrissa said to her shocked parents.
"Jay and Clara will be by in a while, send them to my room."
After Marrissa entered her room, her father said, "Well I
always thought that Princess had an air of command to her."
"You know George, I really think that your nickname for
Marrissa is quite amusing," Marrissa's mother responded.
"It is a little ironic isn't it?" her father replied.
Marrissa Flores and her kid's crew entered the bridge
minutes before 1800 hours. Captain Picard was waiting there with
the Beta shift. "Right on time Marrissa," Picard said. "I
assume this is your bridge crew?"
"Yes, Jay Gordon will be my first office and command Beta
shift," Marrissa introduced. "Clara Sutter is my Chief Engineer
and second officer. Alexander Rozhenko, our Chief of Security;
Patterson Supra, my helmsman; and Ro Narys my Ops officer of the
week. Jay will also command Beta Shift, and Clara, Gamma."
"What is your rotation?" Captain Picard inquired.
"This bridge crew will be familiarizing their less
experienced counterparts for the next couple hours," Marrissa
said. "Then the Beta shift will be in charge until 2200 hours
when Alpha returns for the saucer separation maneuvers. Gamma
takes over after the separation and will remain on duty until
0600 hours. Then my rotation at 1400, 2200, and 0600 system
begins until you return."
"You seem to have things well in hand," Captain Picard said.
"Beta Shift is relieved, Marrissa, your crew has the bridge and
the saucer." Captain Picard and the Beta Shift Crew left the
bridge.
As the Kid's crew settled in to their posts, Alexander
noticed something, "Marrissa, a vessel is on an intercept
coarse. Sensors indicate that it is an unarmed shuttle."
"Projected origination?" Marrissa asked.
"Romulan Neutral Zone," Alexander said.
"Hail them, notify Captain Picard," Marrissa ordered.
"Vessel responding," Alexander replied.
"On Screen," Marrissa ordered in her best Captain Picard
imitation. Ambassador Spock appeared, wearing his old Starfleet
uniform. "Starship Enterprise, Marrissa Flores commanding, how
may I help you?"
"I am Ambassador Spock," he said. "I request permission to
land in your shuttlebay. I have important information for
Captain Picard."
"Proceed to shuttlebay two," Marrissa replied. "Commander
Data will meet you there."
"Proceeding to shuttlebay two, Ambassador Spock out," Spock
replied.
As Ambassador Spock piloted his shuttle into shuttlebay 2 of
the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701-D, he wondered. Why is that
little girl in command? She can't be much older than ten, twelve
at the most. I thought Captain Picard didn't let children on the
bridge, but the whole bridge seamed to be manned by them.
Landing, he opened the side of his Romulan made shuttle to
be met by the android, Data. "Mister Data, I am pleased to see
you yet again," Spock said.
"Welcome aboard, Ambassador," Data replied. "Captain Picard
would like to see you in the battle bridge ready room."
"Tell me Data, why are children manning the bridge?" Spock
asked, as they left the shuttlebay. "I've known all of the
Captains of the Enterprises and I would have picked Captain
Picard as the least likely to do such a thing."
"Our new cloaking device will only conceal the stardrive
section, so we have to leave someone behind in the saucer
section," Data explained. "Due to the personnel needs of our
upcoming mission, however, We can only afford to leave the
children, civilians and a couple medical personnel behind."
"Still that leaves a lot of people that could have taken
command before a bunch of children," the Vulcan replied, as they
entered the turbolift
"But not with twenty minute Kobayashi Maru times," Data
replied.
Spock' left eyebrow rose. "Twenty minutes, last I heard
that would be a record," Spock replied.
"It is. The girl in command has managed to score in that
range at least three times," Data replied. "I intend to
recommend her admittance to the Academy when she turns fourteen."
"If she can do that simulation in twenty minutes, Mister
Data, I don't think she'll have any problem getting into the
Academy," Spock replied, as the turbolift doors opened on to the
bridge.
At 0100 hours, the command crew of the Enterprise filed into
the battle bridge. It was time to send the saucer on it's way,
even though it would be hours before they time travel. Secrecy
was of the utmost importance in a time travel mission. Captain
Picard queried the main bridge, "Miss Flores, are you ready?"
"Saucer section is ready, all personnel transfers are
complete," Marrissa replied over the intercom.
"Thank you, Miss Flores," Picard replied. "Seal all
connection corridors and turbolifts."
"All turbolifts clear, latching system ready," Data replied.
"Release Docking clamps," Picard ordered.
"Docking latches released," Data responded.
"Miss Flores, set a course 0 mark 20, relative heading,"
Picard ordered the saucer section. "Helm reverse of that coarse,
Engage."
"We are clear of the saucer," Data informed.
Over a communications channel, Marrissa's voice said.
"Captain, I'll see you at Deep Space Nine, Saucer out."
Legate Tural, head of the Cardassian Central Command,
gathered his Gul's together. Among those present were Gul Ecet,
head of the First Order; Gul Dukat, head of the Second Order; Gul
Ducat, head of the Third Order; Gul Evek, head of the Fourth
Order; Gul Garvak, head of the Fifth Order; Gul Varcet, head of
the Sixth Order; and Gul Darkat, head of the Seventh Order. All
were seated at the table that Legate Tural stood at the head of.
"My loyal heads of the Orders of the Central Command," he began.
"Today we embark on a bold new venture to recapture the glory of
Cardassian. Those in the Government have been negotiating with
very little success a treaty of peace between us and the
Federation. Now is the time to show the Federation the folly of
not agreeing to Cardassian demands with strategic strikes to the
heart of the Federation."
"And how do you plan to accomplish this?" Gul Evek asked.
"The present patrols of the border are weak," Legate Tural
responded. "We could send as many ships as we wanted deep into
Federation Space."
"And what of the peace negotiations?" Gul Dukat asked.
"I'm afraid that the Federation was dealing with an
out-going government which lacked authority to deal with the
matter," the Legate smiled. Everyone but Gul Dukat and Gul Evek
laughed.
Gul Dukat stood up and said, "I'm afraid that I can not
take part in such an endeavor. I do not intend to leave a war
for my seven children to die in. You can expect me to fight
every step of you plan. And if for some strange reason I die
before I leave this room, this entire conversation will be
broadcast though out Cardassia from my ship. Tapes of what has
been said to this point are already being spread thoughout
Cardassia in the event of my demise. Who else is with me?"
"I stand with Dukat," Evek responded. "You are trying to
plunge Cardassia in to a war it can ill afford. I will not be a
party to the demise of Cardassia."
"Go, Go, the path to a new Cardassia will be paved with your
blood," Legate Toral replied.
"No, Legate, you will be crushed under the new Cardassia
which you are trying to overthrow," Dukat said, leaving the room.
"Well now that the traitors are gone," Legate Toral
continued, some what ruffled. "Lets get down to the battle
plans."
Chapter Three
Captain's Log
Supplemental
We have initiated saucer separation and are traveling toward
the neutral zone. I have left Marrissa Flores in command of the
saucer with orders to proceed to Deep Space Nine. We, on the
other hand, are about to time travel to rescue the Enterprise-C.
Captain Picard and Commander Riker were talking about the
mission on the battle bridge of the Enterprise-D. "Captain, I
don't feel comfortable with Star Fleet's orders on this mission,"
Riker stated. "Time traveling should not be used for such
trivial missions."
"Normally, I would agree, Number One," Picard said. "But it
seems that their is quite a bit of evidence supporting our
going."
"I never heard of it," Riker replied.
"I was just informed of it's existence," Picard said. "I
have no idea of what the evidence is, but it must be quite
extensive for Admiral Necheyev to make such a move."
"It must be quite extensive for her to pull us off
Cardassian border patrol," Riker said. "That move left very
little on that border."
"I don't think we need to worry about the Cardassians,
Number One," Picard replied. "We are in the middle of
negotiations with them."
With that comment, Cadet Wesley Crusher entered the bridge.
"The cloaking device is ready Captain," he informed.
"Engage cloaking device," Captain Picard ordered. "Helm,
begin slingshot maneuver."
The stardrive section of the Enterprise-D shot forward,
toward a star. Just before she disappeared into the past, the
faint shadow of a Galaxy class starship was seen against the
star, a shadow that had been seen before, nearly twenty years ago
before the EnterpriseC disappeared.
As Marrissa left the bridge in Clara's hands, she wondered,
walking to her quarters. 'Do I have the ability to command this
ship, to successfully get her though battle? Do I ...' She had
commanded the ship in many simulations on the holodeck, but that
had made her first real command no less frightening.
Meanwhile, twenty years ago at the heart of the Romulan Star
Empire, Commander Sardok was beginning a log entry on the
Enterprise-C
Captain's Log
Romulan date 35739 (date converted to Stardate)
Captured craft USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C
Commander Sardok recording.
I will soon be departing for the Federation. My mission is
to lure the vessels into the zone under the pretext of assisting
a damaged starship. It is hoped that I will be able to capture
valuable Federation technology, and perhaps even a little
information about Federation secrets.
"You do realize that no Enterprise has every stayed
captured, Commander," a sub-commander said.
"Then the Enterprise-C will be the first," Sardok replied.
"I hope so," the sub-commander replied. "Especially after
what happened to some of it's predecessors."
"Like what?" Sardok asked.
"The original Enterprise self-destructed when a group of
Klingons took her," the sub-commander said. "The Enterprise-B
was briefly taken over by us, only to result in the loss of all
personnel when the crew retook the ship having escaped from the
brig."
"Their's something that's not happening here," Sardok
replied. "Their are no prisoners aboard."
"That's not my point," the sub-commander replied. "This
ship has been under Romulan control for five years. We are
pushing our luck. Someday soon Star Fleet will take her back and
we will all die in Federation prisons."
"Sub-commander, go jump in a lake," Sardok replied.
The Enterprise-D eased into orbit beside the older starship
ambassador class Enterprise-C. While no one could see the
cloaked Enterprise-D, the Enterprise-C was clearly visible. Her
registry was black on her aged ivory white hull. NCC-1701-C USS
Enterprise, United Federation of Planets, she said, proclaiming
her origin, an origin that she was far from. Orbiting Romulas
with Romulans aboard, she definitely was not what she was suppose
to be. That however was about to change.
"Mister Worf, scan the Enterprise-C," Picard ordered.
"Report on number and location of Romulan forces."
"Fifteen total," Worf reported. "Five on the bridge, one in
the transporter room, two in sickbay, ten in Engineering."
"Number One, I believe you have a starship to capture,"
Picard commented.
"Aye, sir, Worf, Data, with me," Riker said moving to the
turbolift.
Down on the planets surface, Tasha Yar, former chief of
Security of the Federation Starship Enterprise, of late, wife of
a Romulan General, was having a bad dream. "... Any more takers
for Death," the phrase keep repeating in her dream as one by one
her colleagues were vaporized by a Romulan disrupter. Tasha
awoke with a start. She was glad her husband was out on
assignment.
She got up from bed and went to look at her sleeping
daughter, Sela. She thought, 'I can't let her grow up on
Romulas. It's almost as bad as were I grew up. Maybe I can get
that shuttle craft working.
Nearly twenty years later, Gul Ducat's warship had detected
a ship moving across it's path. The Gul ordered an intercept
coarse toward it. The Gul was an ambitious Cardassian. He had
once been prefect of Bajor, before Dukat. However a position
came up as assistant to Legate Garnik, the predecessor to the
present head of Central Command. While the position had not led
to further advancement, he was some what consoled by the fact
that Gul Dukat's inheritance of his old position hadn't either.
Well this time, Gul Ducat would advance mightily after his
successful raid on Earth, while Gul Dukat would be dead as a
result of his defiance.
"We are in weapons range of the vessel, Gul," the weapons
officer announced.
"Any ID on it, I like to know what I'm killing," Ducat
asked.
"It is the Enterprise," the weapons officer replied.
"Fire phasers," Gul Ducat ordered. "So much for Captain
Picard."
Chapter Four
All was quiet on the Enterprise-C, it was an normal day.
The Romulans were finishing the last preparations before the ship
set off to trap it's fellow starships. Commander Sardok was on
the bridge with his paranoid sub-commander when that changed.
six Star Fleet officers materialized on the bridge. The
sub-commander managed to get off a shot, his disrupter vaporized
a young female ensign. The Away team quickly stunned all the
Romulans.
Meanwhile in the Enterprise-C's Engine room, Officers
materialized at strategic points, stunning each of the Romulans.
However not all of the officers were quick enough, one Lieutenant
junior grade got himself killed when he beamed in on the wrong
side of the Romulan, but not quick enough to prevent the
Lieutenant from firing his own shot, which stunned the Romulan.
In Sickbay, more strategic beaming occurred. Only this time
the Doctors beamed behind their victims and knocked them out with
their hyposprays. Then they arranged their victims, carefully on
the bio-beds. Meanwhile, an other security office had taken out
the Romulan in the Transporter Room.
As the take over had finished on the bridge, Commander Riker
began contacting his officers, "Commander Riker to Lieutenant
Worf."
"Worf, here."
"Status?"
"All nine Romulans secure, one death, Lieutenant George
Flores," Worf reported.
"I'm afraid his wife, Ensign Margaret Flores is dead as
well," Riker said. "Relay the coordinates of your prisoners for
transfer to the Enterprise-D."
"Aye, sir, Worf out."
Commander Riker began receiving reports from the other Away
teams. After determining that their were no more problems, he
hailed the Enterprise-D. "Commander Riker to Enterprise-D."
"Enterprise-D, How did it go Commander," Captain Picard
asked.
"Not as well as it could, Captain," Riker replied. "We have
two deaths, Lieutenant George Flores, and his wife, Ensign
Margaret Flores."
"Those are Marrissa's parents, Number One," Captain Picard
replied. "Well, since they are dead under the command of
Commander Riker, acting Captain of the Enterprise-C, I guess you
get to inform her."
"Great," Riker replied. "I'd appreciate if my crew could be
beamed over as soon as possible."
"Transfers will begin momentary, Commander," Picard replied.
"Enterprise-D out."
That very moment, down on the Planet Romulas, Tasha Yar and
Sela went for a walk. It was an beautiful morning, the Romulan
version of birds were singing, and the flowers were in bloom.
Soon they neared a cave, at the back of which was an old shuttle
bearing the inscriptions, 'USS Enterprise', 'NCC-1701-C-03',
'United Federation of Planets', and 'Kirk.'
"What is this mother?" Sela asked.
"A shuttle from my last post in the Federation Fleet," Tasha
Yar replied. "Your father placed it here and challenged me to
fix it up before you were born."
Chapter Five
Deep within the saucer section of the Enterprise, a shudder
woke Marrissa Flores, acting Captain of the saucer section of the
Enterprise. As she sat up, the computer began announcing, "RED
ALERT, Marrissa Flores report to the bridge, RED ALERT, ..."
She jumped out of bed and slid into her boots. Having slept in
her uniform (one never knows when duty will call) the only thing
remaining for her to do was to put her hair back in a quick
ponytail. Having done this, she raced out of her quarters, down
the hall, and into a turbolift, which she ordered to take her to
the "Bridge."
As the turbolift proceeded up the eleven decks to the
bridge, she wondered what could cause a red alert this far inside
federation space.
The doors of the turbolift opened to the bridge. A
Cardassian Galor Class warship occupied the main viewscreen.
It's stance gave evidence that it though it owned space. "Status
Clara," Marrissa asked. "And what that monster is doing here
better be your first item."
"That ship under a Gul Ducat, opened communication with a
phaser bolt," Clara said. "He then asked for our surrender. I
told him I had to get the Captain, to do that."
"Ships status?" Marrissa asked.
"Shields are at 90 percent due to their first blast," Clara
replied. "Other than that we're fine."
"Get working on finding out that Cardassian shield
frequency," Marrissa ordered. "We are about to go a little too
close for that Gul's comfort. Alex, I see you decided to return
to duty, great. If you would, I'd like to speak to that
Cardassian Gul, please."
"I'm putting him on screen now, Captain," Alexander Rozhenko
replied.
Gul Ducat appeared on the viewscreen. "This is Marrissa
Amber Flores, Captain of the Enterprise Saucer, how may I help
you?" Marrissa said sweetly.
"You can surrender your vessel to me," Gul Ducat replied.
"Why would I want to do that?" Marrissa asked.
"Because I out gun you, and no children are fit to command a
starship, let alone run one," Gul Ducat replied. "Hurry up and
surrender, I'm scheduled to attack Earth today, and I don't want
to be late."
"It seems you need to apologize to some people," Marrissa
responded. "You can start with the threat to attack Earth. Then
there is the required, sorry for intruding on your territory.
And finally, my crew and I would like an apology for the insult
you just gave us."
"Apologize to a bunch of kid's, never," Gul Ducat replied
scathingly.
"Then I must ask you too surrender your vessel," Marrissa
replied. "I simply in all good conscience can't leave some at my
back who intends to attack Earth."
"Then you will die," Gul Ducat replied, closing the channel.
"All hands to battle stations," Marrissa ordered.
"Patterson, nice of you to have joined us, set evasive pattern as
Beethoven Moonlight Sonata. Alex, ready weapons."
The Galor class Cardassian warship opened fire on the
Enterprise saucer section. The saucer dodged right and left, up
and down, to back and forth. None of the Cardassian phaser fire
got near the Enterprise. In fact some of the phaser blasts were
a good 100 meters away from the Enterprise saucer.
On the bridge of Gul Ducat's ship, he was fuming, "Weapons
officer you better have a good reason for all those misses your
making."
"They must be using some new evasive pattern, I've never
seen a ship move like that," the Weapons Officer and First
Officer replied.
"Their new evasive pattern can't be that complicated,
Glinn," Gul Ducat replied. "After all they are just a bunch of
kids."
Back on the Enterprise Bridge, Clara had found what she had
been assigned find out. "Marrissa I've got that shield
frequency," Clara announced. "It is what is referred to as the
factory specs."
"Stupid Gul," Marrissa replied. "Alexander, how soon can
you have a some torpedoes ready to go though their shields and
get rid of that phaser array that's bothering us?"
"Can I have two minutes?" Alexander asked. "If you give me
that I'll do phasers as well."
"Of course, Alex," Marrissa responded. "The more weapons
the better. I suggest you look at Star Fleet Intelligence's
Galor Class analyst of STARDATE 43455 in particular the warp
shut down point."
Alexander pulled up the document. "Marrissa Flores, you are
one sneaky little girl," he responded after quickly skimming the
section.
"Just don't tell my parents, they believe I'm a nice little
princess," Marrissa replied. "Targets that lovely spot and
launch torpedoes when ready. Patterson, once those torpedoes
impact, I'll be ordering you to close in and Alex will do some
more detailed work."
"Aye sir," Patterson replied.
"Torpedoes away," Alexander announced. "Impact in 20
seconds."
On the Cardassian ship an officer announced, "The Enterprise
has launched torpedoes."
"Reinforce shields at projected entry positions," Gul Ducat
ordered, and turning back to the weapons officer continued
berating that officers targeting ability. This was a tactic that
had worked in the past for the Gul, unfortunately it wasn't doing
as well as it had in the past.
Suddenly the warship shook. The lights dimmed. The screen
flicked. The engineer announced. "Direct hit in main
engineering, warp power is completely uncoupled. Another hit in
the main phaser array, all weapons have gone off-line."
"Were are shields up?" Gul Ducat asked on his smoking
bridge.
"They still are, sir," the weapons officer replied.
"Apparently they have a way to get around our shields. They are
moving closer."
The Enterprise saucer moved in on the Galor Class warship.
Phaser beams shot out taking out first, the other phaser arrays,
then the torpedo bay, next the impulse engines, and lastly, the
shield generators.
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Marrissa watched the
systematic destruction of the Cardassian warship. "You know,
Clara, Gul Ducat was rather full of himself," Marrissa
commented. "I think he needs to be taken down a few pegs."
"I agree Marrissa, and I can't wait to hear what you have in
mind," Clara replied.
"Alexander set phasers for hull scoring," Marrissa ordered.
"I want the following message carved in their hull with your best
handwriting. 'I was beaten by a bunch of kids.'"
"Marrissa you are a mean one," Clara replied.
Back 20 or so years orbiting Romulas, Captain Jean-Luc
Picard was personally handling tactical. His goal, to find Tasha
Yar and beam her to the Enterprise-D. Yar may have been the only
human on Romulas was no small planet.
Meanwhile on the planet, Tasha Yar was working on the
shuttle. "Sela, would you hand mommy the tricorder?" she asked.
"Is this it?" Sela asked showing her mom the requested
object.
"Yes, Sela," she replied. "Thank you."
"Mommy?"
"Yes, Sela," Tasha replied.
"What are those men doing gathering outside the shuttle?"
Tasha sat bolt up right, bumping her head on the console she
had been underneath. Looking out the forward window, she saw
some assembled soldiers. "Just great. I can't even go for a
walk with out the butler getting suspicious and calling the
Tal'Shiar."
"Come out, Lieutenant," a Tal'Shiar major said.
"Major Tireska, how nice of you to drop by," Tasha said,
pleasantly, but with a barely detectable undertone of distaste as
she came out of the shuttle. "Perhaps you haven't heard,
Tirestka, but I renounced all Star Fleet position and rank some
years ago."
"But we both know that you'd join back up in an instant,"
Tireska replied, smiling. "What are you doing this week?"
"Repairing this shuttle for my husband," Tasha replied. "If
you don't believe me, you can contact him. Don't tell him, but I
think the engines on this shuttle are worthless and as for the
communication's grid, well a letter would arrive at Earth before
this piece of trash could contact you."
"So that's you cover this week," the Tal'Shiar major
replied. "You will not succeed."
"Major, I have lived on Romulas for over five years now,
making no attempt to leave," Tasha Yar replied. "Why would I
start now?"
"Just because you haven't tried doesn't mean you won't,"
Major Tireska replied.
"Major, if my daughter wasn't with me, I'd be blessing you
with some of those 'quaint Federation cusswords you enjoy so
much," Tasha replied. As she completed the phrase, she began to
sparkle. Captain Picard had found her.
In the transporter room, Lieutenant Commander Data meet the
long lost former chief of security. "Welcome back to the
Enterprise-D, Lieutenant," he said, once Lieutenant Yar had fully
materialized.
"Data, its been too long," Tasha replied. "But I thought
the Enterprise-D wouldn't be complete for another fifteen years."
"We time traveled to retrieve the Enterprise-C," Data
replied.
"I guess that means that we can't bring my daughter aboard,"
Tasha said, saddened.
"No, I'm afraid not," Data replied.
"So who's Security Chief?" Tasha asked.
"Lieutenant Worf, is," Data responded.
"I'm not familiar with the name," Tasha replied. "Tell me
about him."
Chapter Six
Captain's Log
USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D saucer section
Marrissa Flores recording.
After successfully defeating an intruding Cardassian
warship, we await the arrival of the USS Arizona under Captain
Melanie Morris who will return the warship to the Cardassian
Union via Bajor. After their arrival we will resume our coarse
to Deep Space Nine.
"The Arizona has arrived and is hailing us," Alexander
Rozhenko announced.
"On Screen," Marrissa ordered. A woman with long brown hair
in a Star Fleet Captain's uniform appeared on screen. "USS
Enterprise, saucer section, Marrissa Flores commanding, how may I
help you."
"Admiral McGuire sent us to tow that Cardassian hunk of junk
away," Captain Melanie Morris said. "And render any assistance
necessary."
"Well, the Cardassian is probably in need of assistance,"
Marrissa said. "But we on the Enterprise are just fine."
"Looking at that Cardassian, I can't believe you did it with
no damage," Morris responded.
"Well the Cardassian made 3 mistakes," Marrissa replied.
"Really, what were they," Morris asked.
"One, he left his shield on the Factory Spec setting,"
Marrissa began. "Two, he relied too much on set responses to set
evasive patterns, and Three, he underestimated a bunch of
children."
Suddenly Captain Morris smiled, "I believe Star Fleet will
want to make sure it keeps you, Miss. Flores," she said. "And
that inscription on the hull you made is priceless."
Captain's Log
USS Enterprise-C
Commander William T. Riker recording
We have nearly accomplish all of our mission objectives.
The only thing that remains is a successful escape from Romulas.
Toward that end, a cloaking device is being installed. When this
is complete, the Enterprise-D and ourselves will exit Romulan
orbit under our cloaks.
In other events, Ambassador Spock has come aboard the
Enterprise-C in order to make complete his record as the only
person to have been on all five Enterprises. He will be serving
as my first officer, a position he is very familiar with.
"Commander Riker, two Romulan Warbirds are on an intercept
course," Worf said from tactical. "They are transmitting an
order to standby for boarding."
"We've been found out," Riker concluded. "Riker to
Engineering, is that cloaking device ready?"
"Barclay here, it is coming on line now."
"Good, send Wesley to the bridge, Riker out," Commander
Riker said. "Mister Worf, raise shields." As the Romulans
continued to close, Wesley Crusher entered the bridge. "Wes take
the helm."
"Aye sir," Wesley replied.
"Set coarse 174 mark 45, full impulse," Riker ordered.
"Enter warp when we clear the system. And keep us away from them
and their disrupter fire."
"Aye sir." The Enterprise-C shot out of orbit. The Romulan
Warbirds followed it like sharks after blood. They gained on the
Enterprise as she left the system. However as she went in to
warp, they lost some ground. Their disrupter fire was not
effective, but the effort to evade the shots and out distance
them was beginning to show it's effect on Wesley. He was visibly
sweating.
"Jump to warp 6," Riker ordered, noticing Wesley's trouble.
"Worf, fire two torpedoes set to detonate in five second on my
mark, and cloak us when they explode. Wes, I want you to jump to
warp 9 when those torpedoes go."
"Very good, Commander," Spock commented. "They will think
we blew up."
"That's what I'm hoping, Mark," Riker ordered.
Torpedoes spat out the rear of the Enterprise-C. Seconds
latter, they exploded. To the outside observer, the Enterprise-C
had self destructed.
"Set a coarse for the rendezvous point, Wes," Riker ordered.
Captain's Log
USS Enterprise-D stardrive
Captain Jean-Luc Picard recording
We are about to return to our own time. We plan to arrive a
week after our departure in order to avoid potential overlap.
As the Ambassador Class starship Enterprise NCC-1701-C began
it's return to the time of the Enterprise-D, a runabout carrying
a Federation starship design engineer was passing though the
system. He was lounging at the helm when the Enterprise-C
appeared briefly outlined in sparks, a sort of a sketch of the
ship. He was still there when the Galaxy Class starship
Enterprise, a ship he would later design, repeated the maneuver.
Chapter Seven
The Enterprise-C and Enterprise-D came out of the time warp
and decloaked. Unfortunately, the were not in the right time.
Off the starboard bow, a battle was going on. A constitution
class starship and two comparable class Romulan ships were
fighting it out, and the Star Fleet ship was getting the worse of
the battle, even though the Romulan ships appeared to be more
heavy damaged than on would expect in such a battle.
"Captain, their is a battle going on off our starboard bow,"
Tasha Yar informed from Tactical.
"On screen," Picard ordered.
"Captain, I think we have a problem," Ro commented.
"What is it Ensign?" the Captain asked.
"That's the Enterprise NCC-1701-A, it's in the Federation
Starship Museum orbiting Uranus," Ro replied.
"Then we better make sure it gets there," Picard replied.
"Take us in Ro. Yar ask the Enterprise-C to do the same."
"They are already moving in on the Romulans," Yar replied.
"Ah, Ambassador Spock."
On the Enterprise NCC-1701-A, Captain James T. Kirk had just
spotted the arrival of two new ships. "Mister Spock analyst of
those new ships?" he asked as his Enterprise rocked as another
round of torpedoes impacted.
"Their are no ships matching their design in our data base,"
Spock replied. "However their is a general Star Fleet style to
them." His left eyebrow rose as he recited the next bit of
information. "Their markings identify them as the USS Enterprise
NCC-1701-C and the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D."
"Mister Chekov, don't worry about the newcomers," Kirk
ordered. "Fire a full spread of torpedoes and phasers when the
Romulans begin to turn toward their new 'Enterprises'."
The Romulans noticed the untouched starships Enterprise and
turned toward them. They fired their torpedoes at the Ambassador
and Galaxy class starships. However the shields of the
Enterprises were more than ready to take on the fire power of two
Romulan ships of the 2290's, being use to taking on those of the
2340's and 2360's respectively. The blows didn't even cause a
pause to the Enterprise-C and the Enterprise-D. They returned
fire with their superior 24th century weapons, as the
Enterprise-A opened fire on the Romulans from behind. The
Romulans were vaporized by the combined fire of the three
starships Enterprise.
On the Enterprise-A, the crew stood in awe of the results of
the combined fire power of three generations of Enterprises.
"Commander Uhura, hail the other Enterprises," Kirk ordered. "I
want to know why they appeared here."
"The Enterprise-D is responding," Uhura replied.
"Put them on screen," Kirk ordered.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard appeared from his battle bridge.
"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship
Enterprise NCC-1701-D. My first officer, Commander Riker is
currently commanding the Enterprise-C and is rather busy at the
moment."
"Captain James T. Kirk, of the Enterprise-A," Kirk replied.
"What are you doing here in STARDATE 9530?"
"We took a wrong turn on our way back to STARDATE 47475 from
STARDATE 37570," Captain Picard replied. "We aren't sure what
our error in the calculation for the return trip was."
"I believe we can help you," Captain Kirk offered. "Mister
Spock, transmit the correct time speed weight formula to the
Enterprise-D. Captain, I assume you want this incident
classified?"
"Yes, and if possible forgotten," Picard said.
"I think I can accommodate you, after all, half my bridge
crew is retiring," Kirk said. "Uhura will be becoming Sulu's
first Officer, and Chekov is up for the command of the Excelsior
class starship Potemkin."
Fifteen minutes latter the Enterprise-D and the Enterprise-C
went into time warp, cloaking. As they departed, Captain James
T. Kirk commented, "Well from what I've seen, gentlemen, I don't
think we need to fear for the Next Generation. As long is there
is an Enterprise, the Federation will be safe."
Chapter Eight
When the Enterprise-D stardrive arrived, Captain Picard,
wary of a repeat of the last attempt had Data check to see if
they were in the right place before he ordered the Enterprise-D
stardrive to decloak and asked Riker on the Enterprise-C to do
the same.
Shortly after they shimmered into existence, a Romulan
Warbird screamed across the neutral zone at warp 9, demanding to
speak with Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.
"Lieutenant Yar, please put the Romans on screen, I want to
know what they want this time," Captain Picard said. General
Sela appeared on screen. Sela hadn't been sleeping well of late
and the circles around her eyes gave evidence of that. Her once
long blond hair was cut in the way of most Romulan females, and
males for that matter, bangs over the front, and short. "Ah,
General Sela, I'd heard you had been promoted. Congratulations."
"Thank you but that's not what I'm here to talk about," Sela
replied. "I demand you return the Romulan vessel you have and
it's crew to our control at once." While her daughter was
speaking Tasha Yar realized who she was.
"I'm afraid, I don't see a Romulan vessel," Captain Picard
replied. "I do however hold fifteen Romulans who were holding a
captured Federation Starship which I'd be happy to return to
you."
"There is also the matter of a Romulan citizen you hold
named," Sela began, obviously reading from a pad which a member
of the Tal'Shiar had handed her. "Lieutenant Natasha Yar." As
Sela completed the sentence, she drew her disrupter and said,
"You led me to believe she was dead."
The picture expanded to reveal Major Tireska, the very
member of the Tal'Shiar who had been assigned to watch over Yar
when she was on Romulas. "Then you seduced my father and married
him," Sela yelled. "You are not worthy to wear that uniform."
Then she backhanded the major with the hand that held her
disrupter, knocking her out.
"Captain Picard," Sela then said to the startled bridge crew
of the Enterprise-D stardrive. "I believe a prisoner exchange
can be made. It seems Major Tireska here is wanted on several
Federation Planets for murder, I have her complete record from
the Tal'Shiar. If I beam over with her, may I arrange a prisoner
exchange?"
"Certainly," Captain Picard said. "My acting Chief of
Security will meeting in the transporter room."
Lieutenant Tasha Yar met her daughter in the Transporter
Room. The first words out of Sela's mouth were, "How come you
are not dead?"
"Remember that day we worked on that shuttle?" Tasha asked.
Sela nodded. "I was beamed to the Enterprise-D that day."
"Major Tireska said that you had to attend to some duties in
the house and took me to the amusement park," Sela said. Then
pushing the bound and gaged member of the Tal'Shiar to a waiting
security guard, she continued. "I didn't enjoy it half as much
as helping you with the shuttle. You treated me like I was
something, Tireska," she made the name sound like a curse,
"treated me like a piece of lint. After she married father, I
spent a lot of time in that shuttle thinking of you and how you
treated me. Of coarse she had to make it look like you had been
killed attempting escape and had the nerve to involve me in it."
"Sounds like the Major is a victim of a carefully controlled
version of the famous Yar temper," Tasha replied. "Shall we see
to the return of those fifteen Romulans?"
"Please," Sela said. They began to bring in the Romulans
from the past.
"You will want to recommend a commendation for these two no
doubt," Tasha said. "Although in Star Fleet they would be
reprimanded for keeping their phasers on kill. They both killed
Star Fleet Security officers."
"Any one I know?" Sela asked.
"Just the parents of the person the Captain left in command
of the saucer section," Yar replied. "Although I still can't
figure out why he left a 11 almost 12 year old in command."
"Whatever the reason, she sure has done a good job," Sela
replied. "I just heard about her little adventure with the
Cardassians. I won't spoil it for you though, some battles you
should just read about yourself."
"So you do remember my 'biased' tactical stories," Tasha
said to her daughter. "After how many years?"
"Twenty one," Sela replied. "I'll soon have a use for them,
I just had triplets."
"Triplets, congratulations, Sela," Tasha replied. "It
certainly explains the circles under the eyes. So tell me names,
and anything else you have time for. It's going to take some
time for these officers to return, I ordered them beamed two by
two."
"Well don't ask about the father," Sela said. "Officially
their father is the Romulan Government, unofficially a sperm bank
on Earth, smuggled at great cost."
Tasha smiled, "Now that's interesting. What about the babies
themselves?"
"Having been real mad and my superiors, when they were born
I decided to name them after the women of the Enterprise. So I
have little Deanna who cries every two hours, Beverly who is the
hungriest baby I have ever seen, and little Tasha, who cries at
the slightest offence."
"It sounds like you have your hands full," her mother
replied. "May I suggest that you hire a nanny. It would give
you some time to sleep."
"Sleep what is sleep," Sela replied. "I haven't hand that
in over a month. By the way what are you going to do now that
your back in the Federation."
"I'm resuming my commission in Star Fleet," Tasha said.
"Captain Picard thinks I will be assigned to the renamed
Enterprise-C."
"Let me know if you transfer, I've got enough rank now that
I can avoid any starship I please," Sela said, then in a brief
interlude between the beaming of a captured Romulan and the
arrival of the last one, she said. "Although I am thinking of
resigning to raise my children, but don't tell Romulas that, they
want me to become chief of operations."
"Take the position daughter, it might just allow you to do
both well," Tasha advised.
"I'll consider it," Sela said, after the last of the 15
former Romulan crew of the Enterprise-C was returned to their
fleet. She hugged her mother and walked up on to the
transporter pad.
"Remember to write, Sela," Tasha said. "And I want baby
pictures of my granddaughters, pronto."
"I will, Good-bye, Mom," Sela said, then as tears welled up
in her eyes she asked, "Energize."
As her daughter dematerialized, tears flowed down the former
chief of security of the Enterprise-D's face.
Chapter Nine
Captain's Log
Stardate 46757.72
USS Enterprise-D saucer section
Marrissa Flores Recording.
We have arrived at Deep Space Nine. However I am having a
hard time asking for docking clearance. They keep cutting us
off, saying 'stay off official channel.'
"Alexander, is Deep Space Nine still not responding to our
hails?" Marrissa asked.
"Yes, they still are," Alexander said frustrated.
Marrissa's first officer, Jay Gordon yawned.
"Open a channel to Commander Sisko," Marrissa ordered.
"Inform him that the commanding officer of the Enterprise saucer
section wishes to speak with him. Patch it into my ready room.
Jay go get some sleep. You've been on the bridge for the last 20
hours, its time for you to go now. Alex, you have the bridge."
Marrissa entered the ready room and sat down behind the
desk. She activated her desk terminal and Commander Sisko
appeared.
"This is Commander Sisko, please get off this channel, I'm
trying to contact ..." he began.
"The commanding officer of the Enterprise saucer section,"
Marrissa completed. "If you and your crew would stop cutting us
off, perhaps you would have reached me earlier."
"You are in command of the saucer section?" Commander Sisko
replied. "Pardon me if I find that hard to believe."
"To tell the truth I was rather surprised that Captain
Picard put me in command," Marrissa responded. "I think my 21
minute fourteen second Kobayashi Maru time had something to do
with it, though."
"Twenty-one minutes, if I'm not mistaken, that would be the
record," Sisko replied. "To tell the truth in a pinch I'd be
willing to put you in command with such a rating."
"Thanks, now can we dock," Marrissa asked. "I've got some
birthday money I'd like to spend."
"Upper pylon 2," Sisko replied. "Birthday money?"
"Today's my birthday, and I just receive my yearly cash gift
from my mother's parents estate," Marrissa replied. "I think
I'll buy a new outfit with it. Do you know a good tailor?"
"Try Garak's," Commander Sisko replied. "If you would like
I'll help you bring down his price a little."
"Thank you, I'll take up your offer," Marrissa responded.
"By the way, the Arizona should be arriving in a little while
with a Cardassian ship we defeated on our way here. I though you
might appreciate the warning."
"Thanks, wait a minute, you defeated a Cardassian warship on
your way here?" Sisko said, shocked.
"Yes, Gul Ducat's with the soft c," Marrissa replied. "He
really should check the side of the border he is on before he
opens fire. I'll provide you with a recording of the whole
thing."
"I think I'm going to enjoy it, the Arizona is on sensors
now, DS9 out,"
Gul Ducat entered Commander Sisko's office, "How nice of
you to stop by before your ship is towed home."
Gul Ducat ignored his comment. "I demand that the present
crew of the Enterprise saucer section be turned over to
Cardassia," he said.
"On what charges?" Commander Sisko asked.
"Attacking a Cardassian warship."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Sisko smiled. "Especially
since they had every right to do so."
"What rights?"
"You were in Federation territory."
"Navigational error. Not a reason to fire on a ship."
"No, it isn't but I'm not finished," Sisko returned. "You
fired on them."
"Accidental discharge."
"You asked them to surrender," Sisko respond. "They refused.
You fired again. They returned fire. Your ship was disabled.
You deserve everything you got right down to the inscription 'I
lost to a bunch of kids' on your hull. Now I suggest you and
Cardassia better find a way to apologize for your treaty
violations. Now I've got a party at Quark's for the Enterprise
crew to attend."
Chapter Ten
Gul Dukat and Gul Evak watched Gul Ducat's ship being towed
into the Cardassia Space Dock from the lounge over looking the
main hanger. "One more defeat like this and Legate Toral's
government will collapse," Gul Dukat noted.
"And especially if the Federation keeps on righting such
snappy phrases on our ship's hulls," Gul Evak responded, pointing
out the inscription.
"'I was beaten by a bunch of kids.'," Gul Dukat replied.
"Do you think we can bribe the repair supervisor to say he can't
remove it?"
"Most certainly," Gul Evak replied. "I have had this little
towing operation recorded for our use as well."
"Excellent, now if we could just arrange for another
defeat," Gul Dukat replied.
Captain's Log
STARDATE 47576.1
USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D stardrive
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Our journey to Deep Space Nine has been delayed. A Ferengi
trading vessel had a warp engine problem which required our
assistance.
Marrissa Flores was on the second level of Deep Space Nine's
promenade when Commander Riker spied her. "Marrissa, may I have
a word with you," Riker asked.
"Yes, Commander," the little girl who had been left in
command of the Enterprise's saucer section responded, turning
toward the tall bearded man. "I assume you wish to take
command..." She stopped as she looked up at the Enterprise's
first officer, detecting something that made her cringe.
"No, I'm already commanding the Enterprise-C," Riker
responded. "I'm afraid I have bad news, Marrissa."
"What," Marrissa asked, turning to look out the window,
afraid to look in Riker's eyes.
"Marrissa, I'm afraid that your parents are dead," Riker
said.
"How?" the twelve year asked, supporting herself of the
window still.
"They died helping take back the Enterprise-C," Riker
responded, observing a tear running down her right check in the
reflection of her in the window. "They felt no pain, and it was
quick."
"Commander," Marrissa asked in a soft sobbing voice.
"Yes, Marrissa," Riker replied.
"I think I'd like to be alone now," Marrissa said, her hand
wiping the face. "Could I talk to you later."
"Certainly Marrissa, my door is always open," Riker
responded. He walked away from the sad girl staring at the
stars. This had been the first time he had to inform anyone
about the death of their parents. He thought it had gone rather
well.