Chapter 23.
Persistence of Vision.
(Scott POV)
I was on my way to Engineering.
"Paris to McCall," Tom said.
"Go ahead, Tom," I said.
"Captain, I've done an analysis of our route through Botha space whenever you have a minute to check it out," Tom said.
"I'm on my way to Engineering, I'll be with you as soon as I'm done," I said.
"Aye, Captain," Tom said.
"Ah, Captain, the computer told me I'd find you on Deck 11, Section 4B, Starboard side," Neelix said. "And sure enough, here you are,"
"What can I do for you Neelix," I said.
"I assumed you'd want to talk to me," Neelix said.
"About," I said.
"About the Botha, We're headed for their space and as I told you, they're going to have to be handled very carefully," Neelix said.
"I understand and of course I want your counsel, but right now, I'm late for a meeting," I said.
"I wouldn't put this off too long," Neelix said. "We're getting closer, you know,"
"Yes, I know, and I will be with you as soon as I can," I said.
Then Got to Engineering.
"Sorry, I'm late? What do you have?" I said.
"I think we're about ready to make our first attempt, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"If you're successful, will the Doctor be able to move freely around the entire ship?" I said.
"Not exactly, The Holo-emitters will be set up in certain Key areas, The Bridge, Engineering. We'll be able to transfer him to those location," Harry said.
"Same way we can now transfer him to the holodeck?" I said.
"Exactly, But if he tries to move into an area where there's no emitter field, he'll dematerialize," B'Elanna said.
"I have the Holo-projector online," Harry said. "We're ready to start,"
"Proceed, I don't have much time," I said.
"Engineering to Sickbay, Doctor we're ready here," B'Elanna said.
"I'm standing by," Doc said.
"Okay, here goes," B'Elanna said.
"Initiating transfer, Here he comes," Harry said. Then the Doc came in but small.
"Well, this is certainly a brilliant feat of engineering," Doc said.
"What happened?" I said.
"I'd guess the imaging interface wasn't properly stabilized," B'Elanna said.
"Just a small oversight, no pun intended," Harry said.
"Very amusing," Doc said.
"How long will it take you to correct this small oversight?" I said.
"Maybe a couple of hours," Harry said.
"Harry, I have assess our navigation plan and get ready to make contact with an alien species, I can't drop everything whenever you call," I said.
"Tuvok to McCall," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead, Tuvok," I said.
"Captain, I would like a half an hour of your time to review the security protocols before we encounter the Botha," Tuvok said.
"Yes Tuvok, Somehow I will find half an hour," I said.
"Excuse me, Captain," Doc said. "Would you come down here please?"
"Yes," I said.
"When did you last take shore leave?" Doc said.
"About 2 months ago," I said.
"Ah, How long since you've done something pleasurable for recreation?" Doc said.
"Doc, I know I'm a bit testy today, But I can assure you," I said.
"How long?" Doc said.
"Last weekend," I said. "I have a holonovel Program, Haven't had time to run it for a few weeks,"
"Well, I want you to now," Doc said.
"Doc, I'm really busy," I said.
"I've checked Starfleet regulations, The Chief Medical Officer outranks the captain in health Matters, Now I realize this may be the first time a hologram has given an order to a captain, But I'm ordering you to report to the holodeck now," Doc said.
"Fine," I said.
Then Left for my quarters and go changed into my Red Dead outfit. Then I saw my photo of my pack on the table, All of us together. Then I put it back down and went to the Holodeck.
"Computer, Run program Red Dead Alpha 1," I said.
"Program is running enter when ready," Computer said. Then I went in and managed to get pass what would been the first mission and got Mrs Alder back to the Mining town. Then went to bed before fast forwarding to the next part Where Dutch and Hosea was talking in the middle of the room.
"Bridge to the Captain," Chakotay said.
"Computer, Freeze Program, Go ahead," I said.
"We've been hailed by a representative of the Bothan government. They'd like to talk to you," Chakotay said.
"I'll be right there," I said. "McCall out. Computer save and end program," Then it shut down and I went back and changed before heading to the bridge.
"Captain, I knew we should have talked this morning," Neelix said.
"Tell me what you know, Neelix," I said.
"I've been in subspace contact with some old friends of mine Nomads, collectors much as I used to be, They're in a position to gather information during their travels, What they've told me doesn't sound good," Neelix said.
"In what way?" I said.
"There are lots of rumours about ships entering Bothan space, never to be heard from again, My sources on Mithren say that they have lost a number of vessels, They say the Botha protect their Territory fiercely," Neelix said.
"But we aren't aggressors," I said.
"I don't think they are either, They just don't want anyone crossing their borders," Neelix said.
"Will they Negotiate?" I said. "Will they respond to diplomacy?"
"It's hard to say, There's some belief that they don't even have a legitimate claim to the space that they're nothing more than pernicious, odious vandals, in which case diplomacy would fall on deaf ears," Neelix said.
"We're being hailed again, Captain," Tuvok said.
"On screen," I said. "I'm Scott McCall of the Federation Starship Voyager,"
"Why have you entered our space without permission?" He said.
"We didn't realize this was your space, on what basis do you claim it," I said.
"I have no intention of explaining myself to you, the fact is you're violating our territory," He said.
"I assure you we mean no disrespect, We are from another part of the galaxy, We're just trying to make our way home," I said.
"We'll send a ship to rendezvous with you, If you meet the criteria, We'll consider your request," He said.
"Thank you," I said. "What are the criteria?"
"We'll discuss that when we meet," He said ending the channel.
"Friendly fellow," Tom said.
"At least they're willing to talk," I said.
"I wonder why he wouldn't let us see his face," Harry said.
"I suspect it was a calculated move an attempt to intimidate us, But there's something about when he mention that criteria I don't like, Commander, you have the bridge," I said.
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said.
"Neelix, Join me in my ready room," I said. "We should talk about this meeting.
"Captain, If I may when was the last time you ate?" Neelix said.
"Ate? I had some Streak last night," I said.
"let me suggest that we conduct our talk in the mess hall," Neelix said. "We're serving a sumptuous repast for lunch,"
"Lunch it is then," I said.
Then we went to the mess hall.
"Captain, you have a nasty habit of skipping meals, and that can do horrible things to your electrolyte levels," Neelix said.
"I know, But sometimes I just get too busy to eat," I said.
"All you have to do is give me a call, of foods so delectable, you won't be able to resist," Neelix said.
"That's been happening alot less since Clara came," I said.
Then I saw something that was in my Red Dead holodeck program.
Then I went and headed for Engineering where I saw something else, It looked to be Hosea. Then I went straight for Engineering.
"B'Elanna in the course of your experiments with the Doc, have you accessed any of the holodeck programs?" I said.
"No, we're bypassing the holodecks," B'Elanna said.
"Where did you get this holo- projector?" I said.
"We found several of them in storage, we've been reconfiguring them one by one," Harry said.
"So you haven't worked directly with any of the projectors on the holodecks?" I said.
"No," B'Elanna said.
"Is there anything you've done anything you can think of that might have caused holographic objects and characters to appear outside the holodeck?" I said.
"Not that I'm aware of," B'Elanna said.
"I was sure your experiments would explain it," I said.
"Captain, there has to be a reason why you've had these delusions, and we're going to figure out what it is," B'Elanna said.
"The Doc point out that I've been under some stress, I can't ignore that," I said.
"I think we should check out the imaging systems on the holodeck, there might be a simple malfunction," Harry said.
"Good idea," I said.
"We can run diagnostic from Engineering but you should activate the program first," B'Elanna said.
"I'll contact you from the holodeck" I said. Then I went straight there.
"Computer Run program Red Dead Alpha 1," I said. Then it started and I got to the controls. "McCall to Engineering.
"Torres here," B'Elanna said.
"Have you set up the diagnostic?" I said.
"We're ready captain," B'Elanna said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Arthur," Dutch said. "There you are, What are you dressed so strangely?"
"It's a costume, I managed to get into a town just south of here, Strawberry, while I went to search for some more Food and Medicines," I said.
"Ah, Right," Dutch said.
"Computer freeze program," I said.
"Torres to McCall, We're finished, Captain, but we didn't find any malfunctions," B'Elanna said.
"Recalibrate and try it again," I said. "I'm going to check something else,"
"Aye Captain," B'Elanna said.
Then I headed for Sickbay and got Doc to scan me see if there was anything going on.
"I don't detect anything so far, no evidence of aneurysm subdural hematoma, stroke," Doc said.
"Could it be stress?" I said.
"Possibly," Doc said.
"Did you go to the holodeck as I ordered?" Doc said.
"Yes," I said.
"And was that relaxing?" Doc said.
"It was interesting, It wasn't really relaxing when you getting shot at," I said.
"I want to scan for airborne bacteria and viruses," Doc said. "We should investigate the possibility of an alien intruder, And I'd like to do a cerebro cortical scan on you,"
"Oh," Kes said.
"Kes what's wrong?" I said.
"I don't know, Strangle, Suddenly I felt cold, shivery," Kes said.
"Someone was walking on your grave," I said.
"Hmm?" Doc said.
"Old saying on Earth," I said. "A way of describing an odd feeling like that,"
"Hmm. How macabre," Doc said.
"It's a human expression, Doc, I'd think you'd have heard it," I said.
"My programmers didn't clutter me up with pithy Earth Trivia," Doc said. "They programmed me with far more important data, Kes would you please get my sub neural scanner from the med lab?"
"Yes Doctor," Kes said.
"Arthur, you must be losing it, son," Dutch said.
"Doc, Who do you see here?" I said.
"I see you," Doc said.
"And I see you, Doc, But I also see a guy from my holodeck program," I said.
Then it rush and vanished.
"Wow," I said.
"What happened?" Doc said.
"I'm not sure," I said. "The image of him suddenly rushed at me then just vanished,"
"I saw it too" Kes said. "When I came in, I felt as though something hit me bounced off me, Then I saw him moving right into you,"
"As though you became a mirror, you reflected him back toward me," I said.
"I've been doing some mental exercises with Tuvok developing my telepathic abilities, But we haven't done anything like that," Kes said.
"Captain, until I am able to determine the cause of these hallucinations, I'd prefer that you return to your quarters, Get some rest," Doc said.
"Be more than enough time till the Botha ship shows up," I said.
I got back to mine and Clara's room where I sat down to relax then I hear Allison, Deanna. Then I saw Colm O'Discoll coming right at me with a knife. I tried to get it off and hit him with it.
Then I was back in Sickbay.
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"Now this is starting to bug me, What's next a Berserker," I said.
Then I got Chakotay down here and let him know everything that he needed to do this.
"Captain, you've trained your crew well, We'll be able to do without you for a few days," Chakotay said. "In the meantime, we're continuing diagnostics on all ships system's, there's a reason for what's happening to you and we're not stopping until we find it," Chakotay said.
"Good, One other thing, Chakotay, Be careful, Something tell me that the Botha may or may not try something," I said.
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said. "I'll to Red alert if that does happen,"
"Thank you Commander," I said.
"My patient has to rest now," Doc said. "I'm sure you'll want to get to the bridge,"
"Call me if there's anything I can do," Chakotay said.
"Just be sure to report to me after you meet with the Botha," I said.
"Yes, Sir," Chakotay said.
"Captain, if you'll take a seat, on one of the beds, I'd like to do some furthers tests," Doc said. "Kes, Please prepare the Captain for cerebro-cortical scan,"
"Certainly," Kes said. "Scott, I saw your hallucination again,"
"What did you see?" I said.
"You were struggling with a man, He had a knife she was trying to hurt you," Kes said.
"Actually was trying to kill me," I said.
"As I focused on you, it was just like with the other man, the image seemed to reflect off of me and move back into you," Kes said.
"Your telepathic abilities must be increasing," I said.
"I think It's more than that, I think something strange is happening on this ship, and it's not just happening to you," Kes said.
Then we got hit and went to Red alert.
"McCall to Bridge," I said.
But nothing. Then got hit again.
"McCall to Bridge, Respond," I said. "I'm getting to the bridge,"
"Captain, I can't allow you to leave sickbay," Doc said.
"I don't have time for this, Doc, If we getting shot at, My place is on the Bridge," I said. Leaving and into the Turbolift and up to the Bridge.
"Your ship is damaged and your captain incapacitated," He said. "I will accept your immediate surrender,"
"You're not getting one, Harry Engage ZPM 1 put it to the shields," I said.
"Online, Shield are back to full," Harry said.
"As for the captain, I'm just fine," I said.
"I don't think so," He said. "I think the battle is over now,"
Then came over and I saw my Dad.
"Tom who do you see on the viewscreen?" I said.
"My father," Tom said.
"I see my girlfriend Libby," Harry said.
"Harry, shut down visual," I said.
"I'm trying Captain, It won't terminate," Harry said.
"Tuvok do a multiphasic scan on those ships, I want any evidence of defensive weakness and prepare all Torpedoes banks for launch," I said. "Tuvok? Tuvok come on,"
"I'm on it, Running scan now," Harry said.
"Transfer Tactical there too, Harry," I said.
"Torres to the Captain," B'Elanna said.
"McCall here," I said.
"We're having problems down here, People are becoming delusional," B'Elanna said.
"It's happening here, too," I said.
"I think I know why, There's a massive energy field coming from those ships, It's bioelectric, modulation on a Delta-wave frequency, It has psionic properties, and it's permeating the hull," B'Elanna said.
"A Psionic field has a psychoactive effect, that would explain the hallucinations," I said.
"You can try remodulating the shields but in the meantime, I'm going to set up a resonance burst from the warp core, That'll probably block the field, but it'll take a while to set up," B'Elanna said.
"Notify the Doc, If the field is bioelectric, he might have some ideas how to neutralize it," I said. "Chakotay, give B'Elanna a hand in Engineering,"
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said.
"Neelix, If the crew ever needed a morale officer now is the time," I said. "See if you can help,"
"Aye captain," Neelix said.
"Scott, Do you always have to be like this," My so called Dad said.
"Harry remodulate the shields on a rotating frequency, Harry, Damn it, McCall to Kes," I said.
"Yes captain?" Kes said.
"Can you come to the bridge? i think we could use you," I said.
"Right away," Kes said.
"Tom you still with me?" I said.
"Sure am Captain, I'm running the scans on those ships," Tom said.
"I'll work on the shields," I said. "Don't look at the viewscreen,"
"It's not even tempting," Tom said.
"You didn't go on with your dad Either," I said.
"Not really, Who do you see on the viewscreen?" Tom said.
"My so called Dad," I said.
"Sounds to me you didn't either," Tom said.
"No shit," I said.
"Wait. I'm getting results from the scans, No apparent defensive weaknesses. Metallurgical analysis is in conclusive," Tom said.
"Shields aren't remodulating, Try moving us out of here," I said. "If we can get some distance between us and those ships, we might be able to block the effects,"
"On it," Tom said. "let me say something I've always wanted to say, Get out of my life,"
"Tom, He's not there," I said. "Damn it. McCall to Engineering," But nothing. "B'Elanna come in, If any one can hear me, I'm going to Engineering and any help will be helpful. Computer put the Bridge control on Lockdown, Engineering," As I went into the Turbolift and the doors closed. Where I saw Chakotay too.
"Now maybe we can talk," He said.
"Piss off," I said.
"Come on Scott, stop being so," He said
"So what, Last time, I wanted nothing to do with you then and definite don't to do with you now, So Fuck off," I said.
Then next thing I know.
(Clara POV)
I was heading for Engineering where I ran into Kes.
"Kes," I said. "How you heard from anyone else?"
"No Why didn't you respond to the Doctor's Coms," Kes said.
"Scott, Hasn't got me a combadge yet," I said. "I heard his last call saying he was heading for Engineering,"
"That where I'm going," Kes said.
"Then let's get moving," I said.
Then we were almost there where we ran into Scott, He had burns on his face.
"Scott, What happened," Kes said.
"A plasma leak, I was in Engineering working on that burst when it caught me in the face. Get me to Sickbay," Scott said.
"Kes, wait, This isn't Scott, He would want us to get to Engineering and sort this," I said.
"Let's go," Kes said. Then we went on.
Where we finally got there.
"I get to work on that burst, Scott, Taught me a bit," I said.
"I 'll get hold of the Doc, So he can tell me through the rest of it," Kes said.
Then I got up to the upper level and started working on the core.
Then I heard Kes scream.
"KES!" I said. Then went I got down there. Then Whoever it appeared to be Neelix changed. I grabbed a phaser as Kes finished off the Burst.
"Firing the warp field," Kes said.
Then there was this light and it finished.
(Scott POV)
"Kes to the Captain, If you can hear me, Please report to Engineering," Kes said.
Then the Turbolift finally stopped and went there.
Once there, I saw the alien who was there.
"Why did you do this to us?" I said.
"Because I can," He said.
"Is it just telepathy or is there technology involved?" I said.
"Does it matter?" He said.
"It does to me, I don't intend to let you do this to other. Prey on them," I said
"How would you propose to stop me?" He said.
"We could destroy your technology, or adjust your brain wave patterns to prevent Telepathy, and they we could turn you over to the government of Mithren, We could even keep you confined in our brig behind a force field," I said.
"I'm sure you're very well intentioned, Captain, and I'd like to be able to accommodate you. But you see I'm not really here," He said Vanishing.
"McCall to Bridge, report," I said.
"The ships just vanished, Captain," Tom said.
"Then Get us out of here, Maximum warp, get us at least 5 lightyears away from here," I said.
"Aye captain," Tom said.
XXX
"Captain's log, supplemental, We have no explanation for the mysterious disappearance of the telepathic alien we can't even be certain that he was actually here he seems to have left us with any number of unanswered questions. End log," I said.
Then I headed down to the Mess hall.
"I'm surprise to see you here, Captain Isn't this the day that you're usually in the holodeck with your novel?" B'Elanna said.
"After what we been through, Take a break from that for a while," I said.
"I can't blame you," B'Elanna said. "I think it had quite an impact on all of us, Do you think it's true that the alien was reading our minds, creating images from our own experiences?"
"It seemed that way," I said. "He had an uncanny ability to bring buried thoughts, Memories out into the open, Why?"
"It's just I experienced something I'd rather not admit," B'Elanna said.
"I know, me too, But in a way maybe he did us all a favor maybe it's better to look those feeling in the eye than to keep them locked up inside," I said.
"I guess," B'Elanna said. "I'll have to think about that, Well, I have an early watch tomorrow, so I'd better turn in, Good night, Captain,"
"Good night, B'Elanna," I said. "Sweet dreams,"
"Thanks you too," B'Elanna said.
After that I went to Bed myself.
What the hell was going to come at us next.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
love Y'all
PEACE!