STAR TREK MAXIMILLIAN BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER

CHAPTER SIX

PLANNING

What has come before…

An Observatory has been destroyed by an object yet unknown to the Federation, and it has began a long journey to the heart of the Alpha Quadrant. The U.S.S. Maximillian, weary from a trying mission in the Menkare Expanse, and with an untested Captain, is the sole survivor of a small task force organized to halt the invasion, and has been charged with accompanying the ship to it's final destination, which now appears to be deep in Gorn space, following a small probe launched shortly before it's owner was destroyed…

But Lieutenant Commander Critch Starblade has a plan, but one that he must be a part of, for reasons only he knows…

Stellar Cartography was very crowded, with three Admirals, the Captain and her first officer, who in a startling case of it being a small universe was also her brother, also the Science Officer Kelvok, a Vulcan, LCDR Starblade, LT Amy Armstrong Thomas, the Chief Engineer, and two crew members that, although not being official members of the Command Staff, were allowed in due to their history with these matters. LCDR Tamak, a Vulcan who had been Captain until an unfortunate incident involving Time Travel and the 'pon farr' mating ritual (As seen in the as yet unwritten "Amok Tamak") Brought him before a review, and LCDR Korjak, the head of the Rapid Response Unit, the Maximillian's equivalent of the Starfleet Marines. Yet all were strangely on edge as they entered and stood at ease in the large room. Admiral Blobbin, an Erseddorian (Don't ask) stood next to the Romulan Admiral Turok T'Kill, and after a minute, formed a hand out of his mercury being and pointed straight up and said, in a loud, wispy and obnoxious voice, 'oooo, pretty colors'. At that point Turok elbowed him in the side. The mercury pudged in and out and formed a large elbow that nudged Turok back. This display went on for a moment until Admiral Lyon gave the both of them a dark stare. T'Kill snapped to attention, and Blobbin gave Lyon a large grin. Lyon ignored him as he began.

"This is the present location of the object." The panoramic screen in front of them showed a pulsating blue dot, followed by a computer modeled version of the Maximillian. "We are currently moving at Warp 3.2 and slowing at the rate at .1 per minute. Apparently, we're getting close to where we're going.

"It should be noted that at the current rate of speed, we will enter Gorn space in under fifteen minutes. The destructive capabilities of the object are considered to be far greater than the Gorn defenses, and the defenses of the object are at an unheard of level. Therefore, attacking from the outside is not an option. We must attack from within. Commander?"

Starblade began to speak. "Thank you, Admiral. As I have informed Captain Septaric and Admiral Lyon, I have developed a way to transport aboard the object. It involves temporarily changing our Resonance Frequencies, using the transporters, in order to exist within their vessel, whoever 'they' may be. A small military force will transport over, disable the vessel, and get out of there. Questions?"

Science officer Kelvok raised an eyebrow. "Have you considered the risk of beaming into an area of solid matter?"

Tamak followed up. "An astute observation. How are we to know the other vessel is constructed?"

Starblade nodded. "I assure both of you that the logical steps have been taken. After informing Captain Septaric…" He nodded in her direction. "Of my plans, I transported a small probe over, and not only confirmed that it could be done, but also received schematics of the entire vessel, which consists of only a few small rooms."

"So what's the plan?" Admiral T'Kill asked impatiently.

Critch turned away from the plans to face his audience. "The plan, Admiral," As Starblade spoke, the schematics faded away to show a small group of dots in a large room. The dots moved across a long skinny bridge to a large cylinder, stayed there for a moment, then disappeared as the room filled with a white light. "We get in, disable their shielding, weapons, and engines, and get out. Simple, quick, effective, and leaves us in a far better place to negotiate. Lieutenant Korjak, are your men ready?"

The Klingon snarled. "Not as ready as I am."

"Then with the Captain's permission…" She nodded. "All right then, let's do this." As Korjak headed off, Critch called to him. "I'll be down in a minute." Admiral Lyon's eyes widened at this, as Starblade spoke to Tamak. Lyon strode up to Critch as Captain Septaric attempted to ask him a question, but he ignored her as he passed her by and neared his destination.

"I suggest you go too, Tamak, since you're Chief Security Wizard around here." Critch was saying.

"I assure you I know no forms of Magic, Mr. Starblade."

"Ok…then at least you can see some fascinating things over there with us. Technology from a completely different universe! Just imagine…"

"…Interesting." Tamak allowed.

Lyon cleared his throat. Tamak glanced at him. "Commander, I believe I should be going."

As Tamak walked off, Lyon looked at Starblade.  "Commander, a word please."  Critch called to LT Thomas, who was waiting for him.  "I'll be out in a moment, Amy."  He turned back to Lyon.  "What can I do for you, Admiral?"

    "You still insist on accompanying them?"

    "Of course, it was my idea, and they will benefit from my years of experience."

    "Most of which you cannot remember."

    "I have my instincts, they'll be enough."

    "I think you're underestimating their capabilities..."

    "I'm not underestimating them, you're overestimating them!"

    Lyon waiting a moment, allowing Starblade to calm down.  "...I cannot allow you to join the away mission, Commander.  Your place is on board this ship.  I have no desire to risk you on a probable suicide mission."

    "If this is such a bad idea, then why did you allow it to go ahead?"

    "They will fail, and return.  I am not the Captain of this ship..."

    "And you command us like you were!"

    "Are you questioning my authority, LIEUTENANT Commander?"

    "No sir, but since this my mission..."

    "I am aware of your purposes in going, yet I am unconvinced your purpose is sound."

    "...I go to stop this thing, what else is there?"

    "We both know why you want to go."

    "...Then you know why I have to go."

    "I'm not risking losing anyone else to this thing."

    "You're scared of me dying?"  Critch asked with a smirk.

    "No, Critch, I'm not."  Lyon gave Critch a piercing stare.  "Part of your ego is well placed, however annoying it may be.  You represent a technology at levels unheard of to the Federation, and are invaluable to this crew.  What I am afraid of, is you embarking on a quest that could endanger everything we can imagine!"

    "That won't happen."

    "That is correct, Critch.  As of this time, you are confined to quarters until the end of this mission.  I am sorry."

    Critch Starblade looked defiantly at Robert Lyon.  "I am too."

    "I know how you must..."

    "You don't know anything about this!  Do you think I can just let this go?  Starfleet, the Maximillian, they are NOT my past, THIS is my past!  How can you deny this to me?"

    "Critch, you had a choice when you were reactivated.  You could have done anything you wanted to do, gone anywhere you wanted to go, but you chose Starfleet.  You chose to end up on a Starship, and did not seek the Captaincy when it became available.  Like it or not, Commander, you are not in charge here."

    Critch just looked at him blankly.  "I was under the impression that Captain Septaric was in charge here.  Looks like I was wrong."  Before Lyon could react, Critch stormed off.