Yes, I wrote this a while back and it's kinda corny, but hey.
UP GUARDS AND AT EM
LOCATION UNKNOWN – STARDATE UNKNOWN
Claire came to her senses with a start. Although her vision was still blurry, it was very bright and she could see daylight. She quickly looked around and saw horses. In fact, she was on one. What the heck, she thought. A large gray horse fidgeted beneath her. Fortunately, she had learned to ride as a child and still remembered how. Curiously, Claire was now dressed in a strange uniform, one with gray pants and a red tunic with gold braiding. She also felt a strange tall, fur cap on her head. She then noticed other members of the squadron looking around, obviously confused.
They were all grouped on a slope with hundreds of other riders. Down the slope they could see men in blue marching up the hill, carrying a red, white, and blue flag topped with a golden eagle. Suddenly, the sound of bugles and cannon were heard. Rancho rode clumsily up to Claire, "What's going on? Where are we?"
Claire's eyes grew large. "I have no idea. This must be some kind of illusion." Just then, 3,000 men in front of them stood up and fired muskets into the men in blue. These men wore red jackets and were led by a man in a black top hat. Dozens of men in blue fell. The man in the top hat yelled, "Charge! Hurrah!" and then was shot dead. Claire felt around her person and discovered an ancient pistol and a thick sabre. She also carried a buff-colored bag and a stiff black sack with the symbol of a crown and the number "2". Claire suddenly remembered seeing this item in her grandmother's home.
By now, the other members of the squadron had assembled and Commander Hood was trying her best to determine a course of action. Claire spoke up, "Ma'am, I don't know if this means anything, but my grandmother had one of these," she advised, holding up the sack.
"Well, what does that mean?" asked Hood impatiently.
Claire shrugged, "I don't know, but my ancestor, Andrew MacGregor was in the British Army. I remember he fought against the American Revolution and lost. He was captured and then released and exiled from America. He eventually died fighting against the French in eighteen fifteen. But other than that, I have no idea what this means."
Werewolf interjected, "So what? What are we going to do? Who are we supposed to be?"
Claire glanced down the slope and noticed that blue cavalry and infantry were moving toward the red-jacketed men. Artillery hammered them as well. From the hill, Claire could see ancient cannon belching flame. Commander Hood grabbed Claire by the arm, "You seem to be the only one with any grasp of this situation. What do you suggest we do?"
The lieutenant thought out loud, "You know, this sort of thing happened before when the USS ENTERPRISE encountered the Melkotians. They were placed at the O.K. Corral, which somehow related to Captain Kirk's history. It was some sort of judgment by the Melkotians. I don't know anything else beyond that or how they survived. I think this has something to do with my family's history."
It began to look as though the red-jacketed men would be overrun by the blue cavalry. A man rode up to Claire. He was dressed as they were, wearing a tall, fur cap, covered in black oilskin. He called out in a Scottish accent, "Major MacGregor, deploy in line. Now Scots Grays, follow me!" The mass of horses and men began to move down the slope. Commander Hood looked Claire in the eye, "What do we do?" Claire pointed forward, "I guess we follow?"
They rode hard down the slope at a group of blue cavalry. Those men had silver helmets and silver breastplates known as cuirasses. Claire got caught up in the charge and drew her sabre. The gray horses crashed into the disordered blue cavalry. Using the point of her blade, Claire pierced the neck of one trooper. Another swung at her overhead, but she parried it. This time, she drew her pistol and fired through the man's armor. Her comrades had hung back, but were now riding up to support her. Many blue cavalrymen were riding away and the Grays were in pursuit. Consumed by the fervor, Claire joined in. Rancho commented, "We're going to get ourselves killed." However, he rode on after her.
Next, a group of cannon lay before them. When they had closed to twenty meters, two guns fired. A dozen fist-sized balls flew from the muzzle of each cannon, tearing into the ranks of horses, but on they came. The gunners fled before the charge. The Grays were caught up into a frenzy and pressed onward. Rancho and the others began to worry: this was getting out of control. A distant bugle call sounded across the field and Werewolf noticed other red-coated cavalry returning to the slope, but they continued onward. Claire was busy, hacking about at the gunners along with the other cavalrymen. Observantly, Rancho pointed to a nearby concentration of blue cavalry that was advancing. It looked like four times their number.
"Hey, guys. I think we need to leave," he stated to CDR Hood.
She nodded distantly, watching the blue cavalry accelerate into a canter, "Uhhhm, yes. Go get Claire."
Rancho nodded, "On my way, Ma'am." He rode off with three others.
Claire looked up and saw the blue cavalry. They wore the helmet and cuirass like the others did. Additionally, there were men with odd upwardly flared hats and lances. Claire thought of her ancestor, "So, this is how he died." She realized that they were at the Battle of Waterloo when French cavalry decimated the 2nd Dragoons, known as the Scots Grays. Claire fell into deep thought and lost track of her surroundings. She was literally frozen. This was where I'm going to die, she thought. Completely engrossed, Claire failed to hear Rancho's desperate calls.
Nearby, a lancer had pinpointed Claire and braced for the charge. Claire just sat there in disbelief as her horse milled about. Mario drove his gray horse onward, still fifty meters away. The lancer yelled, "Vive La France. Vive L'Empereur." A split second later, the tip of the lance struck Claire in the chest. She flew back off her horse and tumbled to the ground with a thud. On her back, she could feel the blood on her chest where a broken wooden shaft protruded. Immediately, her breathing became difficult and she coughed up more blood. As she looked up at the sky, she could see Mario's dirty face. His voice sounded tinny as though it came through a tunnel.
She said softly to him, "You know…this isn't real. If this were real, I think I'd kiss you. If this were real, it would really hurt bad." Claire could now only see Rancho's mouth moving. She felt very tired. Claire then closed her eyes for what she thought might be the last time.
USS NAPOLEON – 2366.02.26 – SICKBAY"Hey, she's moving!" a voice called out. Claire shuffled a bit. She was lying on her back. She tried to open her eyes, but it was too bright. Someone put a tube up to her lips and said, "Here, drink." She gulped down the water and then managed to get one eye open. After focusing, she could see, Mario, Horatio, and Molly in the room with Doctor Borisov.
Claire remarked, "I feel like crap."
Rancho commented, "We almost lost you. Just as you were going out, the mother ship was destroyed. Captain Wallace had you tractored into the shuttle bay. You were going into cardiac arrest. This is totally freaky, but we found this in your cockpit." He handed her a tall, fur cap. Claire also noticed the fuzzy Winnie the Pooh that secretly accompanied her on all her flights. Rancho laughed, "I didn't know you had a co-pilot. I'm jealous." Claire smiled weakly.
They explained to Claire how the Melkotians must have picked out something from her mind and played up on it. The USS ENTERPRISE crew was similarly affected years ago. It was only through Commander Spock's psionic abilities that they were saved. Claire replied slowly, "It's a good thing I don't have much of a mind or they would have really had stuff to mess us up with."
This elicited much laughter, but Doctor Borisov ended the mirth, "Ok, people. She needs to rest. Everybody out!" The three filed out, saying their good byes. Claire immediately fell asleep, Pooh slowly rising and falling on her chest.
USS NAPOLEON – 2366.02.28 – SICKBAY"You are fit for duty, Lieutenant," said Doctor Borisov approvingly. He held a medical tricorder up to her, analyzing her vital functions.
Claire buttoned up her tunic and hopped off of the bed, "I could have told you that, Doc."
The Doctor wrinkled his nose, "It's a good thing you have such a thick skull." Claire gave a smile and waved to the Doctor as she departed. She hated sickbay.
She returned to her quarters and set her faithful bear on the bed. On her counter was the fur cap. Too freaky, she thought. Looking at the cap, she remembered the stories Grandma MacGregor had told. History was always a good subject with her and she was always curious about it. It was time to find out more. Claire brought up the communications panel and activated it, "Hello… Grandma MacGregor. It's me, Claire. Do you have some time?"
They talked for a while, before Claire had to go. Claire told her of her experience. Grandma acknowledged that Andrew MacGregor was killed by a French lancer during the Battle of Waterloo. Grandma agreed to send some items out to her along with her famous shortbread cookies. Claire told Grandma that she would be taking leave at the end of the year and would come to visit. Grandma was overjoyed. Claire waved and said that she would call again next month.
USS NAPOLEON – 2366.02.28 – WORKOUT ROOM
Dressed in her gi and black belt, Claire raised her wooden sword, known as a bokken. Since returning to duty, her focus was somewhat erratic. Even now, she had to repeat her set three times. Sensei would be very displeased. "Fuzzy head," he would say to her. Finishing her set, she took the seated seiza position to meditate. Concentrating on her breathing, Claire eliminated all other factors in life; at least for the moment. Rising again, she felt the energy return. The wooden blade flashed up and down with precision, until, with a shouted kiai, she delivered a crisp overhead cut. She reversed the blade, carrying it in her left hand, indicating that she was in a safe place. She remembered the difficult cultural lessons she had learned. Storing her gear, Claire wasn't done yet. She changed into her running gear and took on the treadmill. She had been struggling with sleep since her bout with death and this was her way of fighting it.
Molly caught up with her in the gym and wore her weird workout clothes. She had on these tiny shoes over four of her "feet" and socks up to the joints of her spindly legs. She even had a sweatband over her antennae. She groomed her wings with her mandibles before hopping on a treadmill. Her green carapace would click softly as she ran. The two chatted as they ran along. Molly commented about how she would return to her planet for the mating season and produce an egg sac for the next generation of hatchlings. Claire asked if Mantoids had special relationships. Molly replied that they did not. If fact, in ancient times, Mantoid females would bite the heads off of their mates. This was abolished when their civilization acquired laws. Claire commented, "You know, we could learn from your people."
USS NAPOLEON – 2366.03.22 – VF-137 BRIEFING ROOM
Commander Hood took the podium and the room came to attention. She asked everyone to sit and then gave an announcement, "I am glad to announce the promotion of our beloved Mario Ferrare to Lieutenant Commander and as the new XO of the squadron." Rancho was as surprised as everyone else. He stood up and waved to the crowd as the group whistled and clapped. Molly buzzed her wings in approval. When the applause died down, CDR Hood continued, "Ok, now for the serious stuff. We've lost contact with the scientific research station on Ekos. Lieutenant Commander Achua will provide the details." She waved Achua up to the podium.
Achua was a soft-spoken man with dark skin and close cut hair. He was extremely professional, if somewhat stiff. Claire had worked with him on many occasions, preparing for intell briefings. Achua explained that a Federation cultural observer, John Gill had contaminated the culture of that system. In 2268, Starfleet discovered that violation and corrected that problem. In the last thirty years, the system had prospered, but there were always malcontents who embraced the violent ideology introduced by Gill. The station that was established on Ekos housed thirty Federation scientists, who were minimally armed. Achua added that the indigenous population possessed basic space travel capability and thermonuclear weapons. Atmospheric vehicles and personal weapons were on par with 21st Century Earth technology. Achua revealed that CAPT Wallace had proposed that a flight on six fighters escort a shuttle to Ekos to determine why contact had been lost with the station. "The shuttle will carry our social science officer and six other scientists. Three security men will join you," Achua instructed.
Commander Hood ordered Rancho to lead the flight. "Caveman, Werewolf, Gumby, Krypton, and Raven will join the flight," commanded Hood.
Claire looked around the room and saw two nervous-looking Ensigns in the back. It wasn't that long ago when she sat there, looking lost. That also meant that Claire was no longer the junior pilot. With Gumby, aka Ensign Susan O'Hara and Krpyton, aka Ensign Francois LaRue, joining the squadron, Claire could joyously pass off the duty roster and the leisure schedule to the "Newbies". Feeling some compassion, Claire approached the new pilots, "Hey you two, don't worry. You get over this lost feeling. I'm Claire, callsign Raven. I'll be flying with you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Above all, don't take any flak from Caveman."
Claire suited up and did the walk through with CPO Tror. He showed her the new gold star. "Two more kills," he said, "and she'd be an ace." Claire signed for the craft and prepared to launch. After launch, they formed up on the shuttle and vectored to the Ekos System.
The flight, callsign Lifeline, jumped to warp. Rancho called out, "Lifeline One. Let's get this milk run over with." The rest of the flight checked in.
The flight was uneventful, and an hour later they dropped out of warp to enter the system. Initial scan showed space traffic. A small space station floated in orbit. Rancho advised, "We should make contact. Maybe they can tell us what's going on." He hailed the station. Werewolf scanned the station; Twelve shuttle-sized vessels were emerging.
"Space station. This is Federation Flight Lineline on a peaceful mission. Please respond," Rancho called. Just then, a rocket shot forth from the space station.
Werewolf called, "Incoming. Take evasive action. Shields!" The low yield nuclear rocket exploded within 300 meters of the flight. Claire's shields absorbed the blast and radiation, but her shields were down to 28. The shuttle was not so lucky. Its shields were overloaded and main power was off line. The shuttle tumbled toward the atmosphere.
Rancho ordered, "Five and Six, disrupt the incoming attack. Three and Four, hit the station. I'm after the shuttle." He then added, "USS NAPOLEON, mayday, we are under attack."
He and Gumby lit out after the out of control shuttle. Claire followed Caveman into the attacking craft. Their laser weapons were absorbed by the shields of the Federation fighters. Claire and Caveman tore through the formation, phasers rippling. Claire vaporized three while Caveman accounted for two. Emerging on the other side of the shattered formation, Claire called, "Lifeline Six, three guns kills. Call me ace." As she pulled up and set up for another pass, she noticed the port inertial dampener failing. Dang, she thought, as she would need to break off. She notified Caveman and they sped away from the frantic attackers. Claire scanned the area and noted the path taken by Rancho and the rest. Following through the atmosphere, they flew over a large continent where the shuttle had set down. Their scans could only pinpoint a twenty-kilometer radius where the landing site was. Claire's inertial dampener had failed and she would need to set down. Contacting Mario, she found suitable concealment where they could land.
SURFACE OF PLANET EKOS – 2366.03.22Claire and Horatio set their craft down in the clearing of the forest. It would be difficult to find their craft as the woods were thick and they were at least twelve kilometers from any civilization. Claire unbuckled her safety harness and removed her helmet. She reasoned that she would need her survival gear and grabbed her flight bag. It contained rations, a light source, a homing beacon, compass, and of course, her stuffed bear. Caveman had scouted the clearing and told Claire it was secure. They both had Type II Hand Phasers, but no other weaponry except Caveman's hunting knife.
Claire called out on the communicator to any member of the flight. Her intell report indicated that the indigenous population would be unable to detect or interpret her transmission. She received a response from Werewolf, "This is Lifeline Three. I understand you are on the surface with battle damage. We have damaged the space station and are attempting to get a signal back to the NAPOLEON. Apparently we are being jammed. We have been unable to communicate with Rancho or the shuttle. I'm heading for the far side of the moon to try communications there. We are low observable, so it may take four hours to arrive. Call if you need assistance. Three out." Claire and Caveman were on their own for a while. USS NAPOLEON would not count them overdue for five days.
Claire and Horatio began walking toward the tricorder readings indicating the location of the shuttle. They had both put on camouflage face paint and vegetation on their green flight suits. Their clothing reduced both visual and infrared emissions, lowering the probability of their being detected. As they hiked along, they began chatting. Although their relationship had improved dramatically, they had never really spoken in depth. Horatio told Claire he grew up in London and that he was married and had a son. Claire expressed genuine surprise. He confessed that he thought she was kind of cocky at first and felt he had to put her in her place. Claire said that she had, "Felt the same way." Claire felt that he was a genuinely likeable guy once you got to know him. She found that they both liked fish, but he wasn't overly fond of sushi as Claire was. She also admitted that she wasn't that hot on Scottish food, which her grandma always cooked. Claire also brought up her friend Chubb, who was making a name for himself in the culinary arts. Claire actually found herself enjoying the conversation.
After an hour and a half, they came to a small town. Hiding on the outskirts, they made their way to the location of the shuttle. It had made an emergency landing two kilometers outside of town and was now heavily guarded. Trucks and light armored vehicles surrounded the shuttle. Looking through her digital binoculars, she could see gray and black uniformed troops as well. They appeared to be armed with archaic firearms. However, these could be just as deadly. Horatio noted that there was no sign of the shuttle crew. The two sat back down in the tall grass. Claire noted, "Commander Achua told me that the fascist government was overthrown back in Twenty Two Sixty Eight. However, it certainly looks like they're back."
Caveman nodded, "We'd better find our people, and fast."
Caveman scanned a nearby town with his tricorder and they worked their way in that direction. About a half hour later they spotted the road that led into town. There were two gray uniformed guards at a sentry post. The town was small, with a population of approximately 1000. Claire and Horatio circled the town to find an entry point. On the North side of town, they spotted a small group of people huddled in the bushes. Observing them for a few minutes, Claire felt that they, too, were hiding from the troops. It was decided that they would approach the group.
When they had moved to within ten meters, Caveman whispered out to them. They were startled and then cowered down. Claire assured them that they were friendly and approached the group. There was an old man, a pregnant woman, and several children. They had been out of town when fascists had taken control three days ago. The man, Lon, told of how the fascists had gained power within the government and then staged a coup. There had been twenty years of peace on the planet, but the fascists had always maintained an underground movement. He knew about the Federation scientists and told of how the fascists had captured them to prevent them from warning their people. Caveman asked if there were any secret ways into town. "We can use the water way," the man replied.
Caveman nodded, "Good. Show us." Lon led them to a manhole cover 300 meters North of the town. He told them which direction to head in order to enter the town and also mentioned the prison on the East side. Lon had some extra clothing and gave Claire and Horatio a baggy shirt and pants for each of them. They thanked him and gave him some of their rations. Then, they set off.
Lon's directions were right on cue. Using the tricorder, Caveman zeroed in on at least five Starfleet transponders. They were concentrated in one area corresponding to the location of the prison. Claire found a suitable manhole cover to make their egress and they emerged in an alley near the prison. Caveman took a few minutes to see what they were up against: twenty guards. Claire made a mock frown, "Hmmm, I've seen worse."
Caveman smirked, "Yeah, like when?"
The two scouted out the prison building. It was a one-story structure with no exterior windows. A front door and a rear door provided access to the building. There were four guards on the roof. Claire set her phaser to wide-angle stun as did Horatio. "So, what's the plan?" she asked Caveman.
"Umm, I suppose we take out the guys on the roof. We then cut through and free our people," he surmised.
"Sounds flaky, but I'm game," Claire responded. Claire and Caveman aimed their phasers at the guards from twenty meters. FLASH. The four guards dropped. They quickly scrambled over to the prison and Caveman gave Claire a boost up. She, in turn, pulled him up.
On the roof, Caveman scanned the building, while Claire covered him. "I've got them," advised Caveman. He began cutting into the roof with his phaser set to level 3. A seam appeared in the roof and he followed a square pattern to create a hole.
Suddenly, Claire heard one of the guard's radios crackle. "Krauss, respond!" sounded a male voice.
Claire thought, "Uh oh." She picked up the radio. It again sounded, "Krauss, respond! This is Manheim."
Claire turned to Caveman, "What do I do?" she asked.
"Keep them distracted. I'm almost through," her ordered. Claire waited.
Again the radio spoke, "Krauss, what's going on. Respond! This is Manheim."
Claire keyed the mike, "Uhhh, hi Manheim. How are you doing? We're fine here. Krauss is kinda busy. He's got the runs. Yeah."
"Who is this? Where is Krauss?" demanded the voice.
Claire thought for a second, "Yeah, umm, I'm Krauss' girlfriend. I'm just holding his radio." The voice demanded again, "Then let me speak to Helmut!"
"Whoa, ummm, Helmet, I mean Helmut is… is napping. Yeah, that's right," Claire said. She hated lying and was always very bad at it. She would suck as a spy. "Caveman, we got company!" she warned.
"I'm through!" he called.
Just then, ten guards scaled the roof, pointing submachine guns at them. They were had. The guards tied them and took their equipment. They were led into the cell where nine Starfleet personnel sat. Caveman shrugged, "Well, we tried." It looked as though the shuttle crew had been worked over. They were bruised and their tunics were torn.
Ten minutes later, four guards came for Caveman and Claire. They forcibly took them to another room. Claire looked at the chains and sharp instruments, "Oh boy. This is not good." A thick, spectacled man in a black uniform approached, carrying a baton. The guards chained the two to the wall.
The man struck Caveman in the ribs, "How many more of you are there?"
Caveman coughed, "What you see is what you get." The man laughed, "Well, we're just getting started." He walked over to Claire and pressed his baton into her throat until she started choking. Claire spit in his face. She then winced in anticipation of the coming blow. She was disappointed on that account when the whine of a transporter sounded and six Starfleet Marines appeared. Phaser blasts put all of the fascists down. They released the two, "We got the call from Werewolf. USS NAPOLEON is in orbit. We've been authorized by Starfleet Command to retake the planet and restore the proper government." Claire stepped up to the fallen fascist and smeared her boot on his face.