ACT I

Captain's Log.
Stardate 60012.7
The Enterprise is en-route to Sector 441, to assist Deep Space Twelve's
endeavours in the Briar Patch. And I'm looking forward to some R&R on
Ba'ku, after a long six months in Sector RJ-141.

"So the dog says to the cat 'get off my chain!'"
Lieutenant Ezri Dax, ship's counselor, gave out a loud belly-laugh at Commander Madden's bad joke. Doctor Julian Bashir gave a smerk, but Lieutenant Tom Paris was unamused. Worf... well, Worf was clueless.
The forward lounge was a little busy. It was the first time in over six months that the crew could unwind after a long exploratory mission that almost taxed the entire ship. RJ-141 was a huge sector, to be sure. It's not every day that a starship can take a brief rest to get younger after a hard half-year's worth of work. Though, Paris would perfer Earth over any other planet, to be with his wife and daughter... and their newborn son, Jacob.
Bashir glanced at Worf, who just drank his prune juice. "Aw, c'mon, Worf. Surely you could understand the humor in that joke, even just a little."
Worf offered no reply, except "I would have had the dog eat the cat."
More laughter. Even Worf seemed to smile at that.
Paris yawned, then took a deep breath after. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to take a nice, long bath and a nap."
"That seems like a good idea," Ezri said.
"How long until we reach DS12?" Madden wondered.
Paris checked a chronometer on the wall. "I think about another two days or so."
"Two days? I think the time is worth it," Madden offered.
A comm signal sounded. "Senior officers report to the briefing room," Captain Picard ordered over the comm.
Paris rubbed his eyes. "So much for that idea."
"Let's go," Bashir said, putting his drink down.

...Then, the freighter exploded into millions of bits.
The screen changed images. Now, a masked pirate appeared, holding a pistol in the air. "Six systems have fallen to our cause. If the Federation does not withdraw from this sector, you will find yourselves in a world of chaos. I assure you of it. Long live the Negarani!"
Then, the giant screen went blank.
Everyone slowly turned back to the table, where Picard presided over the meeting. "We've been ordered to detour from DS12, and head to Starbase 248 to ascertain and assist in diplomatic efforts to end the terrorist problem," Picard explained.
"So much for my long bubble bath," Paris snipped.
"Is there any indication as to motive or reason for wanting the Federation gone from Sector 248?" Madden wondered.
Picard shook his head. "We don't know. The reason could be anything."
"He just seems psychotic," Dax offered. "Whoever this guy is, he seems to believe his world is the only world out there. That, alone, makes him dangerous."
"The Enterprise will meet with the Timberwolf in Sector 328," Picard briefed. "Then, we'll set a course back for Sector 248."
"Are we escorting a hospital ship too?" wondered Lieutenant Commander Harry Kim.
"The new Starbase Commander is aboard the Timberwolf," Picard explained. "We're to deliver him to Starbase 248, and assist in the mediations."
"Do we know anything more about these terrorists?" Worf wondered.
Picard shook his head. "As far as we know, they are a complete mystery. And that's all I have for now. Mister Paris, please alter course to rondevouz with the Timberwolf in sector 328."
"Aye, Captain," Paris said.
"Dismissed."

"You can't be serious!"
"Indeed, I am."
"But what am I supposed to do with this? This thing isn't even armed!"
Crewman Michael Dallas sat in the 2-man capable cockpit of the tiny hauler, which floated in the void of space in front of docking port gamma of Starbase 248. The young man set some commands, as he talked into his headset to the starbase operations officer.
Meanwhile, in the operations center, Commander Kaori Nakajima stood behind a crewman at the operations console. Nakajima's Japanese features were mired by the fact that her Vulcan features stood out like a sore thumb in an empty room. She also looked about 20-years too young to be wearing a Starfleet uniform, let alone a commander's rank.
"These supplies must make it to the Minas Supply Depot in the Dolidge System," Nakajima explained.
"What if the terrorists come to get me?"
"If you don't deliver these supplies, the terrorists will take out another couple of hundred people. And I could get very... emotional... if that were to happen."
"And I thought you Vulcans embraced logic over emotion."
"To paraphrase Ambassador Spock: 'The needs of the many outweight the needs of' a single pilot. Are we in the clear?"
In the cockpit of the hauler, Dallas sighed. "Acknowledged, 248. Hauler Six out." Dallas closed the channel, and set his course. "Women... can't live with them... can't disobey an order from a beautiful one. Computer, start flight recorder. Engaging warp engines."
As the Hauler registered its warp entry with the station, a junior officer handed Nakajima a padd. After reading it quickly, she sighed heavily, in clear frustration. "Your people let a power drain go unnoticed?"
The junior officer said nothing. "Respectfully, Commander, I am not in charge of station maitenence."
"The Enterprise is due to arrive soon," Nakajima said. "I want everything completely operational by the time Captain Picard sets foot on this station. Is that clear, Crewman?"
"Yes, Commander," the junior said, snapping to attention.
"Good. Now return to maitenence section, and get this station running like it was brand new."
"Yes, Commander." With that, the junior turned about and walked off.
Nakajima sighed, putting the padd down on the console. She stopped a moment, her Vulcan sense of logic coming back to her. "Maybe I was a little hard on him?"
"It wasn't his fault," said a Chinese in a security uniform. "The section chief has been completely lax on repairs as of late."
The Vulcan/Human shook her head. "I don't know what to do, Tao. I've got Starfleet Command holding an axe over my head. I've got terrorists who will probably target the station next. And, I have the Flagship docking here within the next day. My Vulcan sense of logic is being crushed with stress."
"Maybe the new operations chief will run this station a lot better than Lieutenant Kaolin did," Lieutenant Tao Xan Nu Wing told his old friend.
"I am counting on it," Nakajima said. "If he can't, we're in trouble."
There was a long silence that followed. A few beeps. A few hums. Some crewmen coming in and out of Ops.
Finally, Wing had enough. "I'm taking the Ohio to follow Hauler Six. Dallas was right though, he wouldn't survive. Those starbase cargo haulers don't even have shields. They're not meant for interstellar travel."
Nakajima sighed. Coming back to reality, she took the padd back, and headed to the office. "Be careful, Lieutenant."
"Aye, Commander."

The transporter effect ended. Captain Bruce McGawan ran a hand through his long hair, and fixed his black leather jacket. He picked up his huge heavy duffel, and stepped down to the main deck, where he was greeted by Captain Picard and Commander Madden.
Picard shook hands with McGawan. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Captain McGawan."
"Nice to finally get a chance to come aboard," McGawan said. "I've been dying to see this ship from the inside."
"This is my first officer, Commander Madden."
Madden and McGawan shook hands. "A pleasure, Captain."
"I'm sorry for my bad appearance," McGawan said, referring to the long hair, bierd and mustache. "I've been recalled from shore leave. And I kind-of wanted to stay in my 'civilian' form before I shape-shift into my Starfleet persona."
"I can understand that," Madden said.
Picard smerked as he hit his combadge. "Picard to bridge."
"Worf here."
"Mister Worf, Captain McGawan is aboard. Have Mister Paris set a course for Sector 248, warp five."
"Understood."
"We have arranged quarters for your stay aboard the Enterprise," Picard told McGawan. "Commander Madden will show you the way."
McGawan nodded. "Thank you, Captain."
"Starfleet Command has prepared a briefing for you," Picard continued. "You may have to switch back into that Starfleet personae much earlier than expected."
"I will, once we get to Sector 248," McGawan said. "I want to enjoy what little freedom I have left."
"Commander, if you please," Picard offered.
"Of course. Captain, please follow me," Madden said, leading McGawan out of the transporter room.

"How much of a delay will it be?"
"I can't say for sure," Picard told Commodore Napp of Deep Space Twelve. "As long as it takes us to figure out what's going on out here."
"I know how important Sector 248 is to the Federation," Napp said. "But Sector 441 is in turmoil! We've got problems left and right, and we're all spread too thin. We need a stronger command presence."
"I will do what I can," Picard said. "In the meantime, Sector 248 has priority."
Napp nodded. "I understand. We're all victims of Federation politics, I think. I'll contact Admiral Necheyev and see if we can get more ships out here."
"We'll be at 441 as soon as we're through here," Picard said.
A comm signal sounded. "Worf to Captain Picard."
Picard hit his combadge in reply. "Picard here."
"Captain, we are picking up a distress call from the Dolidge System."
"It's beginning already, I see," Napp said. "I'll let you go, Captain."
"Please give my regards to the Admiral, Commodore. Picard out."
Following, Picard came onto the bridge, full boldness and all. "Report."
Madden left Picard's seat, and took his own. "A Federation Starbase cargo hauler, and a runabout. They say they're under attack."
"Mister Paris, what's our ETA?"
Paris checked his console. "At our current speed, fourteen hours, twenty-five minutes."
"Go to maximum warp," Picard ordered.
"New ETA, three hours, ten minutes," Paris reported.
"Mister Worf, hail Starbase 248 on subspace," Picard requested.
Worf complied. The result was positive. "I have the station commander on the line, Captain."
"On screen." The screen's image switched to a very young female Vulcan. Picard straightened his tunic at the sight of the crewman. "This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise."
The Vulcan looked up at the screen. "Commander Nakajima, Starbase 248. What can we do for you, Captain?"
"We just received a distress call from a starbase cargo hauler and a runabout," Picard notified. "Are there any starships docked that you can send out? We're still three hours away at maximum warp."
"The Detroit just docked," Nakajima informed. "But, they're a supply ship. They're not equipped for combat situations."
Madden stood, after coming out of thought pondering. "Captain, isn't Captain Daniels assigned to this sector?"
"Ah yes, the Gulfstream," Picard recalled. "Commander, what is the position of the Gulfstream?"
Nakajima checked. "They're closer. They can make it way before you get here, Captain. Stand by. I will see if Daniels can make the mission."
The screen's image changed for a small moment, to the standard stand- by screen, with "STAND BY" blinking on and off.
After three minutes of waiting, Nakajima's image came back. "The Gulfstream is on her way, Captain."
Picard nodded. "Acknowledged. We'll descellerate to warp seven and continue on course."
Nakajima nodded. "Understood. That should put you about ten hours out of port."
Paris ran the calculations. "Warp seven will bring us to port in nine hours, forty-seven minutes, Captain."
"Make it so," Picard ordered. "Godspeed to Captain Daniels and his crew."
Nakajima nodded. "See you in ten hours. 248 out."
That put an end to that episode.

Dallas braced again, as the pirate vessel came around for another pass. Again, he attempted to hail the pirates. "This is the Federation Cargo Hauler Six! Stop your attack, immediately!"
Another smashing into the cargo bay.
Dallas checked his sensors. The Ohio was still on her way, but still three minutes away. Also, he just picked up the Gulfstream screaming their way. They'll be here in ten.
Both ships will be too late.
"Well, that was of no use—"Dallas was interupted by enemy fire.
"I gotta do something fast. Coming full about. Computer, bring warp drive online—"
Another barrage, sending sparks flying from the aft of the cockpit.
"Just wonderful," Dallas said. "Warp drive is damaged." Suddenly, warnings sounded on the operations console. The pirates were hijacking the freight!
That needed to stop, immediately.
"Computer, status of warp drive."
"Warp drive capacity down to sixty-percent."
Dallas grinned. "Computer, generate a warp field with a point-six- two-five phase variance. That won't stop their weapons fire, but it'll prevent transport."
On the ops console, the sensors recorded that the transports have stopped.
That saved the cargo. But, it made the pirates that much more angry. They began to pelt the hull with phaser fire.
"Warning, structural integrety down to forty-five—" A massive explosion in the back of the cockpit bay. "Warning, hull breach in cargo containers two and four. Structural integrety down to twenty-six percent."
"Shit! Computer, open a channel to the Ohio."
On one of the viewscreens, in a hazy and snowy picture, Wing appeared. "Stay with me, Dallas!"
"Hurry the hell up!" Dallas paniced. "My ship's coming apart at the seams!"
"Hold on, I'm coming!"
A single starburst formed, spitting out a Danube class runabout. The runabout came out, weapons firing. It only diverted three of the pirate ships, as the other three continued to pelt the living tar out of the hauler.
The three diverted pirates attempted to block the runabout from the hauler. However, Dallas wasn't about to let that happen.
Quickly, he set a collision course against the Ohio. Dallas had no intention of ramming the runabout, but he was getting the hell off this unprotected death trap. He shut the warp core down, killing the unstable subspace field. Dallas, then, pointed the transporter beams to the Ohio, and beamed the cargo, and himself, aboard.
After transport ended, the hauler nearly vaporized under weapons fire.
Meanwhile, as Dallas materialized on the platform, Wing took out a pirate. However, the pirates also took out the Ohio's warp core.
Things were not turning out so well.
Dallas slapped Wing on the shoulder, and Wing freely gave up the helm, as Wing took tactical. "I was never much of a pilot."
"Taking evasive maneuvers, pattern delta four," Dallas announced for the flight recorders.
"Bringing aft weapons array online," Wing said. "Diverting all shields aft."
"Setting a retreat vector," Dallas said. "Full impulse."
A sudden starburst appeared directly in front of the runabout. A Galaxy class starship was regurgitated from the starburst, firing all phasers. Four of the six pirate ships turned tail and ran, while two stuborn ones began to pelt the Ohio.
Thankfully, the Galaxy destroyed the pirates with ease. They just didn't get the message!
The small comms screen came to life. Captain Nicholai Daniels appeared, scratching his head. "This is Captain Daniels of the Gulfstream. You guys alright?"
Dallas rubbed his eyes, and let the senior officer speak. "Lieutenant Tao Wing of SB248. Thanks for the rescue."
"What's your status, Lieutenant?"
Wing checked the systems to see if there was anything more that needed to be checked. "Warp drive is down. And we barely have shields."
Some activity on the bridge caused Daniels to be pulled away for a moment. He turned back to the screen after investigating. "We're picking up debris from a cargo hauler."
Dallas volunteered. "The pilot and cargo are safe, Captain. I think our mission is over."
Daniels nodded. "I agree. Initiate docking protocol, and we'll take you back to SB248. Shuttle bay one."
Wing and Dallas both said "Understood," at the same time. That ended the transmission.

END OF ACT I