Chapter 14: Angel One Part 2
On the Enterprise in Sickbay Dawn laid on a biobed. Next to her was Buffy as Beverly ran a medical tricorder over the elder Summers sister. "You're clear," Beverly said. "I don't know if it's the healing ability you get from being the Slayer or if you are just naturally immune. But either way you are immune. Only time will tell."
"Let's hope, I'm immune," Buffy said as she ran her hand through Dawn's hair. "That way you have someone who can help you, well as long as you tell me exactly what you want."
"If you are immune your help will be most beneficial, and yes I am going to have to give you a medical crash course," Beverly said.
On the planet, Faith and Riker stood in front of Beata's desk. The had explained that Buffy and Dawn had returned to the Enterprise and that Faith being a Slayer had taken their place.
"The Enterprise reports a possible location for Mister Ramsey and the other survivors," Riker said.
"So soon? I'm impressed with your haste," Beata said.
"I am suspicious of it," Ariel said.
"You've had your opportunity to object, Ariel. You were in the minority," Beata said.
"Excuse me, Mistress. I have matters to attend to elsewhere," Ariel said as she looked at Riker and Faith and then left.
"With your permission, we'd like to begin our search immediately," Riker said.
"By all means," Beata said as she stood up. "But I'm sure that the Slayer can do that without you." He looked at her puzzled at the request. "If I recall, you had a gesture of goodwill you wished to give me...?"
"That can certainly wait until we've recovered the survivors," Riker said.
"Are you suggesting that the Slayer is incapable of performing this task without the help of a man?" Beata said.
"Not at all," Riker said. "Ensign Lehane is completely qualified."
"How generous you are with your praise," Beata said, sarcastically.
"I guess that means I have my orders," Faith said. "Have fun, Commander." She left and went to the guest quarters where Data waited. "Looks like it's just you and me," she said. "The Commander is otherwise engaged with B2."
"B2?" Data asked.
"I tend to do nicknames. Buffy is B, Dawn is Little D. So, Beata is B2," Faith explained. "I think we should consider this a Section 10 mission. I just need a quick lesson on this phaser thing."
Data nodded as he quickly showed Faith how to use her phaser.
"A justified precaution, Ensign ..."
"Faith," Faith said. "I would prefer it if you called me Faith."
"Faith, would be for our phasers to be set to stun. Mistress Beata observed that Mister Ramsey and his men were dangerous."
"Alright," Faith agreed.
Data tapped his commbadge. "Commander Data to Enterprise."
"Go ahead, Data."
"Two to transport to the location of that platinum trace, Geordi," Data said.
"Coordinates set."
"Energize!" Data said as he and Faith disappeared in a transporter beam.
They materialize in communal house and immediately find Ramsey relaxing in a chair and smiling at them.
"Welcome. I've been expecting you," Ramsey said. He stood up and poured a drink and made to offer it to Faith.
"We have not much time, Mister Ramsey," Data said. "The Enterprise has urgent business elsewhere."
"Certainly, we have time for a drink," Ramsey said as Faith took the offered drink. He rose his in silent toast before taking a sip. "How did you find me?"
"Actually, it was quite simple," Data said. "I accessed all possible elements available to the crew of the Odin, cross-referenced those to elements endemic to Angel One, then eliminated the common denominators. Angel One has no platinum. Enterprise scanners did the rest."
"Platinum, was it?" Ramsey asked as he pulled on a pendant he wore. "My wings. I kept them for their sentimental value."
"Where are the other survivors?" Faith asked.
"Oh, they're nearby. Packing, as a matter of fact, since we can no longer remain here. As the unofficial leader of our little group, I've been chosen to speak for us all," Ramsey said.
"You've been here seven years," Faith said. "But you don't seem excited for us to be rescuing you."
"What is it you think you're rescuing me from? My shipmates and I have all taken wives. A few even have children. You can't rescue a man from the place he calls his home," Ramsey said. "Five months in a rescue pod no bigger than this room is an eternity I hope none of you ever have to face. When we finally made it here, we all thought we'd died and gone to heaven. You've seen the women of the planet - tall and strong and lovely. But once the newness wore off, we started to see how men on this planet were treated. No vote, no opinions... no respect."
"So why stay?" Faith asked. "I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I'm actually from the twentieth century on Earth. I'm not going to go into how I got here. But during that time, it was much like it is here except in reverse. Women were the ones repressed."
"You don't understand," Ramsey said. "Despite its problems, we like it here on Angel One. We're not going anywhere."
"Mistress Beata," Data started.
"Mistress Beata be damned!" Ramsey interrupted. "Her wish is not my command. And neither is yours. You can't force us to go."
"You are correct," Data said. "The Odin was not a starship, which means its crew is not bound by the Prime Directive. If you and the other survivors wish to stay here, there is absolutely nothing we can do."
"You have got to be kidding," Faith said.
On the Enterprise in Sickbay, Beverly was busy trying to find a cure.
"Bridge to Sickbay - how are you doing, Doctor?"
"We have more sick than we do beds," Beverly answered. "I've been forced to confine over three hundred to their private quarters."
"We're going to be seriously undermanned if we're forced to engage the Romulans in battle."
"The Romulans are your problem, Lieutenant. Trying to find an inoculant is mine, with Buffy's help," Beverly said.
"Buffy is alright?"
"She appears to be immune so far," Beverly answers. "And before you ask, I can't use her antibodies to create an inoculant as the virus mutates every twenty minutes. By the time I have an inoculant from her antibodies it has mutated causing me to start again. On the positive side, the virus is debilitating - but so far we haven't had any fatalities."
"If this continues, there'll be no one left to run the ship."
"If it continues, Buffy and possibly Faith will be the only ones healthy enough to care," Beverly said. "And I have only given Buffy the basics. I would need more time to train her properly, and we may not have that time."
On the planet Ramsey stood watching Data and Faith.
"Data to Enterprise," Data said.
"Enterprise here, go ahead."
"Prepare to beam myself and Faith back to our previous location, Geordi. After we regroup with Commander Riker, we will return to the ship," Data said.
"Suggest you make that on the double. We have a real medical emergency brewing up here. A third of the crew is down. And the latest report from the Neutral Zone outpost is that more Romulan battlecrusiers are entering the area."
"We will inform Commander Riker," Data said.
"Just curious," Faith said as she looked at Ramsey. "You said you were expecting us. Why?"
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you,' Ramsey said.
"Alright," Faith said.
"Energize!" Data said as he and Faith dematerialize in a transporter beam.
In Beata's office Riker and Beata were wrapped in each other's arms. "It is such a refreshing change to be with a man who knows what he wants," she said.
"You mean without a woman having to tell him?" Riker asked.
"Exactly! I knew you were bright enough to understand. Women, by our very nature, want only what is best for their men," Beata said.
"Men are not objects to be possessed, Mistress Beata," Riker said.
"Of course, they're not," Beata said, humoring Riker. "It was merely a figure of speech."
It was then that a bell rang.
"Enter," Beata called out, angered by the interruption. Trent entered the chamber afraid of what Beata would do. "Why do you bother me?"
"Forgive the disturbance, Elected One..." Trent said.
"I expect so little from this sorry excuse for a man. Perhaps even that much is too much..." Beata said to Riker. She got to her feet and charged at Trent. "What is so important you find it necessary to intrude on my privacy?"
"They have returned, Mistress. But without Ramsey or the others," Trent said as Data and Faith came through the door behind him.
"Your advanced technology has proven inadequate?" Beata asked.
"What happened?" Riker asked.
"They don't want to leave," Faith replied. "And according to Data, we can't make them."
"But you promised!" Beata said.
"I'm sorry. There's nothing else we can do," Riker said.
"I am sorry as well," Beata said as she moved behind her desk and sat down. "Since you refuse to take them with you, I am left with no choice...but to sentence them all to death."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
On the Enterprise in Sickbay Buffy stood next to the biobed on which Dawn rested. "Rise and shine, Dawnie," she said. "So far I'm still immune. Beverly thinks it might be because of my Slayer healing."
"But the flu," Dawn said, weakly.
"Yeah I know," Buffy said. "I have no idea, really. Maybe I've just been lucky so far and in time I might wind up as sick as everyone else. But, for now, I have something that will make the symptoms ease a little." She squirted a serving of green liquid into a cup. Dawn was too weak to take the cup. She lifted her sister's head and held the cup to Dawn's lips. Dawn gulped it down, nearly choking on a mouthful of the foul brew. "Rest, Dawnie. I'm going back to help Beverly as we try and find out how to stop it before Commander Riker, Faith and Data come back."
On the planet Faith, Riker and Data stood in a quiet corner of the great hall. "What's the latest on the Enterprise's medical situation?" Riker asked.
"Sadly, they're still looking for a cure," Faith said. "Buffy so far is the only one immune. I hazard to guess I would be also. But it could just be a matter of time before she and I get it also."
"Lieutenant La Forge still has the Conn pending your return," Data said.
"What about the Romulans in the Neutral Zone?" Riker asked.
"The border outpost reports a contingent of seven Romulan battlecruisers within sensor range. The USS Berlin has answered their distress call, and is standing by. However, should hostilities erupt, the outpost and the starship will be outgunned. It is felt that the Enterprise's presence in the area will be a vital show of force," Data said.
"Sounds plausible," Faith said. "Show of force. Bad thing you don't have people to do much else than wave from their beds."
"The Romulans won't know our strength, Ensign," Riker said as he glanced around. "It's time for us to leave this place."
"I have to admit I am hesitant," Faith said. "I don't like leaving Ramsey with a possible death sentence."
"I understand your dilemma," Riker said. "But I remind you she has to find them first. Ramsey and his bunch have been fugitives for years. I suspect he's pretty good at evading capture. As cold as it sounds, we're going to have to treat this mission as if it never happened. Everything will remain exactly as it was before we arrived."
Beata and the women of the council, with the exception of Ariel, file into the great hall and take their seats.
"Something is wrong," Faith said as she looked at Beata.
"Your presence on Angel One no longer amuses me," Beata said as she looked at the away team.
"Amusement was never our intention, Mistress," Riker said.
"Before you go back to your ship, there is something I wish you to see," Beata said. She nodded to a guard near the far door. The guard opened the door and Ramsey, three men, two of Angel One's women and a handful of Angel One's men are led into the hall.
Ramsey looked at Faith. "We were no harm to anyone. Why did you tell them where to find us?"
"Don't blame them, Ramsey. You brought this upon yourself. You... and the traitor," Beata said as she glanced at the guard again. He opened it and this time Ariel is led inside. Ariel and Ramsey exchange a pained look. "One doesn't need the technology of the Enterprise to follow Mistress Ariel sneaking off to warn her husband." She looked at the guard. "Let her stand with him now..." The guard led Ariel to Ramsey's side, into his arms. "... For tomorrow they will die together."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
On the Enterprise, on the main bridge, Beverly, medical tricorder in hand, was examining Geordi. "You're out of commission, Geordi," she said. "Report to your quarters."
"Can't leave my post... until I'm relieved," Geordi said.
"I am declaring a Section 10 emergency," Buffy said. "Which means I can now relieve you. Till I am infected I can assume command till Commander Riker, Data and Faith return at which point I can relinquish the emergency and turn over command to Commander Riker. And if need be Beverly can help me while she uses the computers to look for the cure."
"She's right, Geordi," Beverly said. "The ship can run itself. And I can do my research up here."
"Are you sure, Buffy?" Geordi asked. "You haven't done anything without one of us to look over your shoulder."
"I'm sure," Buffy said. "Go to bed."
Geordi nodded as he got up and walked into the turbolift.
"Thank you," Beverly said after the turbolift doors had closed. "Using the emergency to get him to relinquish command was probably the best thing for him."
On the planet in Beata's office, Riker and Faith stood before the desk. They had been fighting to draw Beata's attention from the stack of paperwork she intentionally hid behind.
"You claim to be an advanced society, yet you resort to tyranny and executions in order to suppress those who don't share your views," Riker said.
"I don't expect you to understand," Beata said.
"I understand," Faith said. "Not too many know this. But I am from a time when our planet was much like yours. How I got to this time period is not important. What is important is that our planet was like yours, with one difference women were the ones repressed. Now if you could avoid executing Ramsey and his followers, would you do so?"
"Is that not the way of an advanced society?" Beata asked.
"Let us talk to them one last time," Faith said. "Let us try to convince them to leave with us."
"But what of the others? Their minds have been poisoned. Will you also include those from this planet who unwisely chose to follow Ramsey and his group?" Beata asked.
Riker nodded. "Yes. All of them."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Ramsey, Ariel, and the others sat, stood or leaned in the cramped cell as they await their executions at dawn. Riker, Faith and Data walk through the cell door which is closed and locked behind them by the guard.
"Beata is giving you a second chance," Faith said.
"We're prepared to take your entire group with us," Riker said.
"That's very kind of you, sir, but we're not going," Ramsey said.
"R," Faith said, "you are going to die tomorrow."
Ramsey looked at Ariel and the others, all of whom are listening. "We don't want to die. We don't want to leave, either. I'm not Academy educated, but I've studied a little history. The ancient Christians faced their lions, the natives of the African continent faced their suppressors," he said. "And yes, even you and other women from your time chose to settle for nothing but full equality."
"True," Faith said.
"There's no time to debate the issues, Ramsey," Riker said. "We're taking you with us whether you choose to go or not."
"Excuse me, Commander, but removing any of these people against their will would be a violation of several Starfleet regulations, not the least of which would be the Prime Directive," Data said.
"Could I call a Section 10 emergency?" Faith wondered.
"You could," Riker said as he smiled at Faith. "Which would give you the authority to override the Prime Directive in the protection of humanoid life."
Faith nodded. "Then I'm calling a Section 10 emergency," she said. "Let's get them out of here."
Riker nodded as he tapped his commbadge. "Commander Riker to Enterprise."
"Buffy here, Commander."
"Ensign, where is Lieutenant La Forge?" Riker asked.
"Enterprise to Commander Riker."
Riker tapped his commbadge. "Riker here. What is it, Buffy?"
"I have initiated a Section 10 emergency. I am now effectively in command of the Enterprise. All other command level officers with the exception of Doctor Crusher have come down with the virus. I had to initiate the emergency just so we could get Geordi to go to bed as he was adamant about not leaving without being relieved first. And of course, Doctor Crusher needs to be working on the cure."
"Understood, Buffy," Riker said. "And I commend you on your wise thinking. Does Doctor Crusher think you might eventually become infected?"
"This Doctor Crusher, I have no idea at this time. Buffy could be carrier for all we know. I would have to run more tests on her blood to know for sure."
"Understood, Doctor," Riker said. "We're on our way. There'll be fourteen to beam up. Two groups, five each. I'll be in the last group of three.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that. The virus is totally out of control. Until I know exactly what I'm dealing with, I can't let anyone new be exposed."
"I have initiated my own Section 10 emergency, Doc," Faith said. "The people from the freighter are facing execution at dawn."
"I understand your dilemma. But they would be facing the same fate up here. I have no idea what effect living on Angel One might have on a person's immune system. I'm sorry."
"Understood," Riker said. "Doctor - would this virus have any effect on Data?"
"None that I can imagine."
Riker nodded as he looked at Data and Faith. "You are going back alone, Data." he said. "We have no idea what the Romulans plan to do to that outpost. You and Buffy are going to have to get the Enterprise to the Neutral Zone before it's too late. That's a direct order, Mister Data."
"Neutral Zone before it is too late. Understood, Commander," Data said. "Do I answer to Ensign Summers?"
"If she relinquishes her Section 10 Emergency, no," Riker said. "But I would say don't let her. Let this be a test for her to see if she is suitable for command. After all we have two Slayers now. One of them needs to be the senior officer."
Data nodded as he tapped his commbadge. "This is Data, standing by to beam up." He dematerialized in the transporter beam.
"You think Buffy can do it?" Faith wondered.
"I hope so," Riker answered.
"What do we do now?" Faith wondered as she looked at Ramsey and his people.
"I don't know, Faith," Riker said.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Faith woke the next morning in the guest quarters. She saw Riker up and waiting as Trent entered.
"Mistress Beata invites you to witness this morning's reaffirmation of Angel One's moral imperative," Trent said.
"What a way to say you are going to kill someone," Faith said as she got off the bed.
"Send Mistress Beata our regrets." Riker said.
The Elected One will not look fondly upon –" Trent said, his admonishment was cut short by Riker's commbadge beeping and Buffy's voice.
"Enterprise to Commander Riker."
Faith looked at Riker. "I thought …"
"This is Commander Riker," Riker said angrily. "Why have you not headed for the Neutral Zone. What's the delay?"
"According to Data. Your order to him was before it was too late. He figured how long it would take us to get there. Since Data didn't let me relinquish my Section 10 emergency, leaving me effectively in command. I made a judgment call. We have forty-eight minutes before we leave, that gives Beverly a little more time to find a cure."
"That gives us time for us to do something also," Faith said.
"Forty-eight minutes... I think we're down to splitting hairs," Riker said. "Thank you, Buffy, for your judgment. Riker out." He looked at Trent. "On second thought, Trent, we would be honored to watch your moral imperative in action."
Trent nodded and led Riker and Faith to the great hall where Ramsey, Ariel and Ramsey's followers waited. Riker and Faith went to Beata and decided to try convince Beata that the execution of Ramsey will not halt what can only be perceived as an irrevocable evolutionary cycle in Angel One's societal development.
After getting Beata to admit that Ramsey and his followers are merely symbols of a change that preceded their arrival on Angel One, Riker was quick to point out that executing these people would only make martyrs of them. That, in fact, to kill them will accelerate rather than stop or retard the coming equality between the sexes of Angel One. Faith reminded Beata of the time period from which she was from.
Beata looked at the other women of Angel One's ruling body. They adjourned to discuss what Riker and Faith talked about.
On the Enterprise Buffy watched from the Captain's chair as Data moved from station to station, checking all was well.
"Sickbay to bridge."
"Yes, Beverly," Buffy answered as she coughed. She had finally come down with the virus.
"Bingo, Buffy."
"You did it," Buffy said.
"I did, I have the inoculant."
"Good work, Beverly," Buffy said.
"Excellent, Doctor," Data said. "And we still have a margin of seventeen minutes. I will notify Commander Riker and Faith. "Enterprise to Commander Riker."
"Riker."
"Doctor Crusher, has the inoculant. We are ready to beam you up."
"Data, I want you to lock the transporter on the holding area where they're keeping Ramsey and the others. If we don't hear from Beata in the next ten minutes, you are to begin the beam up sequence, five at a time. The away team will beam up last."
"Understood, Commander. Enterprise, out."
Buffy coughed as she stood up. "I relinquish my Section 10 emergency," she said. "You have command, Data. I need to see Beverly as I do believe I finally caught it."
Data looked at Buffy and nodded. "You are relieved, Ensign. I will put in my log that you served as the Enterprise's acting commanding officer with distinction."
Buffy nodded as she headed for the turbolift.
On the planet in the great hall, Trent walked over to Riker and Faith. "The Elected One wishes to see the two of you."
Riker and Faith followed Trent to the Presidential Suite. Beata said that Riker and Faith were smart. She has given their words a great deal of thought and saw their point. Ramsey and his people would not be executed, but instead were to be exiled to a remote part of Angel One where they could promote all the heresy they wish. And anyone else on Angel One who felt the same way could go with them.
"Your solution," Faith said. "Won't stop what's to come."
"I know," Beata said. "But it will retard it. And hopefully when that change does come my generation won't have to be around to see it."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Riker and Faith materialize in the transporter room. Beverly stood there to inoculate them. "Welcome home," she said.
"It's good to be back. Is everyone recovering?" Riker asked.
"Slowly... but yes," Beverly said.
"Why am I being given the cure?" Faith asked as Beverly gave her the shot.
"Buffy put up a brave front at the end," Beverly said. "She was actually the last to come down with the virus. Which means she was not immune, just lucky. She relinquished her Section 10 emergency when she found out that I had the inoculant and turned over command to Data."
Riker nodded as he hurried out of the transporter room, followed by Faith and to the bridge.
On the bridge Data was seated as his usual station. The turbolift doors opened and Riker and Faith stepped out onto the bridge.
"Set coordinates for the Neutral Zone, Mister Data. We have a call to pay on the Romulans," Riker said.
"Coordinates set, Commander. On your mark –" Data said.
"As Captain Picard would say - make it so, Mister Data," Riker said as the Enterprise leapt into warp. He looked at Faith. "Care to try your hand at tactical?"
"I've not yet learned," Faith said.
"Data will do most of it," Riker said. "It's for appearances. But I think it's time we get you learning some things."
Faith nodded as she moved to the tactical station. "I'm wondering. Have you decided what you said on the planet before Data came up here?"
Riker smiled and nodded. "I actually have and if the Captain agrees, I am going to put forth a recommendation she be promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade."