Chapter 100.
Warhead.
(Leah POV)
It was the morning and Harry picked up a distress call during the night. Chakotay was on the Bridge. As Clara and Chloe was laying on me. As I slowly get off my girls without waking them and got dressed and headed for the Bridge.
Where I ran into Tuvok and Tom.
"Make way for the day shaft," Tom said.
"How's he doing," I said.
"Well, let's see, I haven't heard from him in almost 5 minutes, So he should be checking in right about," Chakotay said.
"Away team to Voyager," Harry said.
"Now," Chakotay said,.
"That's our Harry. If I were you I'd watch out for your ob. Go ahead, Harry," I said.
"We found the source of the distress call, It's some kind of Artificial intelligence, Badly damaged, The Doctor thinks we should beam it aboard," Harry said.
"You're in charge of the away mission Harry," I said.
"Well I think we should help it if we can, but as a precaution I recommend sealing off an Engineering bay with a level 10 forcefield and beaming it directly there," Harry said.
"Agreed, Give us a few minutes," I said.
XXX
"How's our Patient," I said.
"Complicated," B'Elanna said. "It's uses bio neural circuitry to mimic humanoid synaptic functions,"
"But It's memory core is damaged, It's suffering from a Technological form of Amnesia," Harry said.
"Any theories as to be what it might be," I said.
"It could be a probe," B'Elanna said. "Or a communications device,"
"Whoever our friend is, he wasn't alone, He claims to have been travelling with a companion," Doc said.
"if there's another one down there, It might give us a few answers," I said. "I'll be in Astrometrics scanning the surface, Give our guest my regards, Doc,"
XXX
I was in Astrometrics.
"I'm detecting no further technology on the planet's surface," 7 said.
"Maybe the second device was destroyed when it crashed," I said. "Scan for metallic particulates consistent with our friend in Engineering,"
"There are minute traces scattered across the northern continent," 7 said.
"Isolate," I said. "An impact crater,"
"It spans a radius of 200 kilometers," 7 said.
"And look at this, Heavy concentrations of radiogenic decay in the crater walls, and the fracture gradients are consistent, With a highly focused explosion," I said.
"Evidently we've discovered its function," 7 said.
"A weapon of mass destruction," I said.
XXX
"I understands your concerns, but the device hasn't shown itself to be hostile," Doc said.
"Not yet, but it's only a matter of time before it puts the pieces together," B'Elanna said.
"All the more reason we should talk to it, Explain our concerns," Doc said. "Ask for help in defusing it explosive components,"
"If it's programmed to detonate, there's no telling how it'll react," Chakotay said.
"Agreed," I said. "We have to neutralize it, Now, Suggestions,"
"Transport the device off the ship and destroy it before it harms anyone," 7 said.
"7, this is a sentient being we're talking about," Doc said.
"It's a bomb waiting to go off," I said.
"Very well, return it to the surface and deploy a warning buoy to alert other vessels," 7 said.
"I refuse to believe our only options are to kill it or abandon it," Doc said.
"What if we could separate the Bio neural circuitry from the explosive," B'Elanna said.
"Take the weapon offline but salvage the intelligence," I said.
"They're fully integrated, Where would we store the intelligence once we shut the device down," Harry said.
"The Answer's obvious, Down load its synaptic patterns into a holographic Matrix like mine," Doc said.
"Then what," Chakotay said.
"Try to find out where it came from and return it to it's people," Doc said.
"The device is extremely complex, one error and we'd risk detonation," 7 said.
"Saving a life often entails risk," Doc said.
"Harry B'Elanna, Assist the Doc," I said.
"Thank you Captain," Doc said.
"Don't, If this thing becomes a threat we've beaming it into space," I said. "Dismissed,"
XXX
"Sickbay to Bridge, the device is going to detonate," Harry said. "Beam it off the ship,"
"We've lost the transporter lock," Chakotay said.
"Talk to it, Doc," I said. "B'Elanna send a EM pulse through it's power matrix, Maybe you can short it out,"
"I'm on it," B'Elanna said.
"15 seconds," Harry said. "10, 9,"
"Initiating the pulse," B'Elanna said.
"6, 5," Harry said.
"Now," B'Elanna said.
"It's worked," Harry said. "We've shut it down, Captain,"
"Alright, Go ahead with the transfer," I said.
"Aye Captain," Harry said.
XXX
"The weapon's been rearmed," Chakotay said.
"Security," I said.
"They still can't gain access to Sickbay," Chakotay said. "Or any part of Deck 5 for that Matter,"
"Lockdown," I said. "Get a transporter lock on our people,"
"Got our systems secured," Chakotay said.
"We'll jettison the whole damn section if we have to," I said.
"I wouldn't recommend that, Captain," Doc said. "If you try to stop me again, I'll detonate, your ship and everyone on it will be destroyed, I'm transferring a new heading to the helm, You'll proceed to the coordinates at maximum velocity,"
"Where is the Doctor," I said.
"He's gone," It said.
"He's directing us to a system 2.3 lightyears from here," Tom said.
"Is that your home, Or Target," I said.
"It's my Target," It said. "The course I've plotted bypasses Enemy minefields, Don't deviate from it. Your ship won't be harmed, Once we're reached the system, You'll transport me to my target,"
"We won't help you wage war," I said. "This crew has a Prime Directive that forbids us to interfere in the affairs of other species,"
"You've already interfered," It said.
"We were trying to help you," I said.
"Until you discovered my true nature," It said. "Then you tried to deactivate me,"
"Just your explosive components not you," I said.
"There's no distinction I am what I am," It said. "Now Alter course or I'll detonate,"
"If you do that, you'll never reach your target, will you," I said.
"I am programmed to take whatever measures are necessary to obtain my objective, Failing that, I'm to consider anyone who tries to stop me an enemy. Now alter course and transfer your sensors to me, so I can monitor your compliance," It said.
"Release my crewmen from Sickbay first," I said.
"I'm not programmed to negotiate, They'll remain where they are," It said.
"Tom," I said. "Transfer Sensors to sickbay,"
"A sound tactical decision Captain," It said.
"Don't thank me. If any of my crew is harmed in this, I'll destroy Voyager and you along with us, End Transmission," I said. As we cut it off.
"Assemble the staff, We're going to find a way to outsmart and smart Bomb," I said. "Tom Warp 5,"
XXX
"You've deactivated your con system," He said.
"And reinforced the shielding in this section, We won't be over head," I said.
"I'd have more faith in your security precautions, If weren't already at the mercy of this weapon," He said.
"We didn't know what it was when we brought it aboard," Chakotay said.
"This particular series has a Class 11 intelligence factor, It's warp capable, Fully armoured, self guiding, It has a maximum range of 80 lightyears, It can fly through an ion storm or an armada of hostile ships and still find it's target," he said.
"Charming, How do I get it off my ship," I said.
"You can't, But I can, My transporter system employs a dampening field, which disables the detonator until my engineers can disarm it," He said.
"That's a generous offer, Mind if I ask what you expect in return," I said.
"The Device itself," He said.
"I'm not about to hand over a weapon of mass destruction to someone I just met," I said.
"Oh, my business is salvage, not war, I've ne intention of deploying it," He said.
"But you might sell it to someone who does," Chakotay said. "I imagine you'd stand to a make quite a profit,"
"I can make more profit by selling off it's components, The Energy matrix alone can power a fleet of starships, And it's intelligence core properly reprogrammed, can assist in a variety of things, from Terraforming to planetary weather control," He said.
"All right, you can have the weapon as long as we keep the energy matrix, That way we can be sure no one ever deploys it," I said.
"I'm afraid that's unacceptable," He said. "The Energy matrix is one of the most valuable components,"
"I'm sorry, It's not open for negotiation," I said.
"We could offer you a few Dilithium crystals in compensation," Neelix said.
"That matrix is worth a thousand dilithium crystals," he said.
"What if we threw in a Plasma manifold," Neelix said.
"I want the entire weapon or it remains here," he said. "Captain,"
"You seem awfully intent for someone only interest in salvage," Chakotay said.
"I'm sorry to waste your time," I said. "We'll have to find another way to solve our problem,"
"I wish you luck," He said. Then beamed off.
"Sorry Captain, I thought it would help," Neelix said.
As we got hit.
"Bridge report," I said.
"The alien vessel has opened fire," Tom said. "We've lost weapons and shields,"
"Sickbay to Captain what's happening," It said.
"We're under attack," I said.
"How many ships," It said.
"1," I said. As I got to the Bridge. "Of the port bow,"
"Return fire," It said.
"We can't check your sensors, Our weapons are offline," I said.
"Forcefields around sickbay are destabilizing," Chakotay said. "He's trying to get a transporter lock on the weapon,"
"Remodulate the Shields," I said.
"No effect," Chakotay said. "The weapons sending an antimatter surge back through the transporter beam,"
"Captain it's going up," Tom said.
"They've been destroyed," Chakotay said.
"That wasn't necessary," I said.
"They were an enemy, Maintain course," Doc said.
"Warp 5," I said.
XXX
"I've studied the weapon's schematics, My Nanoprobes can be adapted to disable it's bio neural circuitry," 7 said. "However I would need direct access to the weapon,"
"That means getting you in there without arousing suspicion," I said.
We could access the holo matrix controls above sickbay, disrupt the Doctor's program long enough for 7 to inject the nanoprobes," Chakotay said.
"How much time will you need," I said.
"Approximately 20 seconds," 7 said.
"Run a long range scan on that subspace Minefield it warned us about, Calculate their explosive yield, what kind of damage they might do to the ship," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"What have you got in mind," Chakotay said.
"I have a feeling we're about to run into some unexpected trouble," I said.
XXX
"We've analyzed the alien minefield and calculated the effect it would have on Voyager," 7 said.
"I think I can simulate the explosions, with a well timed disruption to the inertial dampers," Tom said. "Of Course asking me to give you a bumpy ride is like asking a virtuoso to sing off key,"
"I'm sure you'll manage," I said. "The weapons has access to our sensors, How do we make sure it won't catch on,"
"We've reconfigured the sensor array to send it false telemetry," 7 said. "It will believe we're navigating a minefield,"
"At least long enough for us to get 7 to sickbay," Tom said.
"How," I said.
"Medical emergency," Tom said.
"I intend to suffer 3rd degree plasma burns during our encounter with the mines," 7 said.
"That's where I come in, Chief Cosmetic officer, at your service," Neelix said.
"Another hidden talent Neelix," I said.
"Well, I know my way around a dermal regenerator, I should be able to simulate a convincing wound," Neelix said.
"Okay, we get her inside, Then what," I said.
"Commander Tuvok will be in position to disrupt the Doctor's program, Once that happens I will inject the Nanoprobes and disable the weapon," 7 said.
"Get started," I said.
XXX
As we shook.
"Sickbay to Bridge," It said. "Report,"
"We've run into a subspace mine, We had to drop out of warp," I said.
"There shouldn't be mines along this course," It said.
"We're detecting thousands of them," Chakotay said. "Scattered throughout the region,"
"We're plotting a new course to avoid them," I said. "Looks like your data is out of date,"
"Transmit it to me," It said. "This trajectory will delay us for 2 days,"
"No Proceed as Planned, I'm programming a shield enhancement that will protect Voyager," It said.
"I'm still going to have to reduce speed," I said.
"Agreed," It said. "But once until we've cleared the minefield," As it cut off.
"Maintain course Tom, one quarter impulse," I said. "Think he bought it,"
"He seemed to," Chakotay said.
"Let's get him another good shake just to be sure, Tom," I said.
"Yes Sir," Tom said.
As we shook again and again.
"Tuvok to Bridge, I've accessed the holomatrix," Tuvok said.
"Acknowledged," I said. "McCall to Neelix, Casualty report,"
"I'm putting the finishing touches on 7's plasma burn, and it looks pretty authentic, if I do say so myself," Neelix said.
"Good work, Stand by," I said. "Time to hit another mine Tom, a big one, Chakotay blow out the plasma relays on Deck 6,"
As we got hit hard.
"McCall to sickbay, We have heavy casualties," I said.
"Maintain course and speed," It said.
"That's going to be difficult, Our Astrometrics officers has been injured, She's the one who's been guiding us through the minefield," I said.
"Replace her," It said.
"7 abilities are unique, We're not going to get past these mines without her," I said.
"Then treat her injuries and send her back to her post," It said.
"She has 3rd degree plasma burns, She needs to go to sickbay to be treated," I said. "If you want to reach your target, you're going have to wait,"
"All right Captain, but I'm warning you no deceptions," It said. As it cut the link.
"McCall to Neelix, Go," I said.
"They're in," Chakotay said.
"Tuvok, Now," I said.
"Bridge my holo matrix is destabilizing," It said. "Why,"
"The last hit done damage to our secondary systems," I said.
"Repair them," It said. "Now Or I'll activate the Detonation sequence,"
"Stand by," I said.
"Sickbay to Bridge, Your attempt to disable me did not succeed, I am designed to repel any assault on my bio neural circuitry," It said.
"We've tried to reason with you, you left me no choice," I said.
"And you leave me no choice, You and your crew will abandon Voyager immediately," It said.
"How about this," I said. "Computer initiate self destruct sequence Authorization McCall pi 110 Omega 47, Set it 10 minutes, Enable,"
"Warning self destruct sequence has been initiated Warp core overload in 9 minutes 50 seconds," Computer said.
"No Deal," I said.
"This not a negotiation," It said. "Comply or I' will detonate,"
"Go ahead, do it. I'm not deactivating the Self Destruct," I said.
"Everyone on board will be killed," It said.
"But no one else will," I said.
"Warning Self destruct sequence has been initiated. Warp Core Overload in 8 minutes," Computer said.
"Captain, 32 vessel just dropped out of warp off our port bow," Tom said.
"On screen," I said.
"One of them is transmitting a message, to the Doctor," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to Sickbay, We've got company, 32 self guided weapons," I said.
"They detected my presence aboard your vessel, they say my target is essential," It said. "They altered course to ensure that I reach it, They are ordering me to transport off your vessel, They will tractor me to my target,"
"Harry, Reintegrate it's neural matrix," I said. "and prepare to beam it off,"
"We can't do that Captain," Harry said.
"Explain," I said.
"These weapons were fired by accident, we can't let them reach their targets," Harry said.
"Enough Captain Order him to proceed," It said.
"Harry what are you on about," I said.
"Captain I need a minute," Harry said.
"Do what Harry say or you're not leaving this ship," I said.
"You're in no position to give me orders," It said.
"If you detonate now, You'll destroy yourself and your companions, is that what you want," I said. "Now do it. Cause our weapons are back online. And I'll give the order to fire,"
"The Confirmation code," Harry said.
"Coding intersequence 443, vector 39121, Cessation of Hostilities, Confirmed, Unauthorized launch Confirmed, Order to terminate mission, Confirmed," It said.
"You must disarm yourself and tell the others to stand down," Harry said.
"It's a deception," It said.
"This code of yours uses a modulating algorithm, it would be almost impossible to duplicate," harry said.
"The Enemy is ruthless, they are violent," It said.
"Have you ever met the enemy, You're just spouting propaganda," Harry said. "What you've been programmed to believe,"
"I have a directive," It said.
"It's been countermanded," Harry said.
"I am a series 5 long range tactical armour unit designed to traverse enemy space ad circumvent all attempts to deter me," It said.
"You're a sentient being," Harry said.
"I have a duty to protect my people, to destroy my target," It said.
"You've been programmed with intelligence, so you could make decisions on your own, Well it's time to make one, Countless lives are at stake," Harry said. "Ever since you took the Doctor's form, you've been learning what it's like to be one of us, Now try to imagine what is' like to be one of your victims," Harry said. "Your first victim,"
"Computer terminate self destruct sequence authorization McCall PI 110," I said.
"Confirmed sequence terminated," Computer said.
"You've seen her suffering, increase that by a factor of one million, 10 million, and that's how much suffering you'll cause if you don't end this," Harry said.
"They're asking why I haven't left your ship," It said.
"Tell them," Harry said.
"I'm transmitting our orders to terminate the Mission," It said. "They also received those orders, but they had already crossed the Targeting threshold,"
"What do you mean," I said.
"Once we're within 2 lightyears of out target, we cannot be diverted," It said.
"Tell them the war's over," I said.
"I did," It said.
"Tell them you got the message, before you crossed the threshold," Harry said. "When you were on the planet's surface,"
"They don't believe me," It said.
"It's up to you to make them understand," Harry said.
"They only understand their directive," It said. "They won't listen, reintegrate my neural matrix and return me to the others,"
"We won't do that," I said.
"I have no intention of proceeding to my target, I will stop them," It said.
"How," I said.
"I am a weapon of mass destruction," It said. "You want me to see past my programming, then you must try to see past your doubts,"
"Harry Do it," I said.
"B'Elanna give me a hand," Harry said. "Captain lock on the weapon, prepare to beam it into space,"
"Do it," I said.
"Bridge Energize," Harry said.
"Tuvok," I said.
"Transport complete," Tuvok said.
"Captain they're changing course they've gone to Warp," Tom said.
"Keep long range scans on them," I said.
"I'm detecting a series of Antimatter explosions," Tuvok said.
"In proximity to what," Chakotay said.
"No ships, no planets, Nothing," Tuvok said.
"It used itself to destroy the others," I said. "Bridge to Kim, The weapons are destroyed, Tom get us on course for Home, Maximum warp,"
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!